St Moritz: Dettori won the first race at the 'White Turf' meeting

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Dettori wins on white turf at St Moritz

Report: Switzerland, Sunday

St Moritz

FRANKIE DETTORI wasted no time in leaving his mark on the famous 'White Turf' meeting when partnering Swiss-trained Sweet Venture to a popular length and a quarter verdict over Florentiner in the first of a six-race card on the frozen lake.

Dettori, who rode four winners a Meydan on Thursday and Friday, flew into Milan on Saturday night and then drove up to St Moritz on Sunday.

"It's not too far, only a couple of hours," said Dettori, who treated the crowd to a flying dismount after his victory.

He was taken to the track in a Rolls Royce and was surrounded by photographers and autograph hunters upon arrival, before heading out on the track to land the 5 ½f event on the eight-year-old, a 2.6-1 chance trained by Swiss champion Miro Weiss

"The race was very fast so I decided to wait a bit but my toes are still numb," said Dettori.

"It's a bit like riding on the Fibresand at Southwell. The horses need to be very fit. These horses are used to it but it may be a bit sharp for our horses."

Dettori was unplaced on his two other mounts on the card including when down the field on Vlavianus in Switzerland 's most important race of the year, the Grosser Preis von St Moritz, in which the Mark Johnston-trained Mannlichen dead-heated for fourth under Steve Drowne.

The Ted Walsh-trained Hail Caesar beat only one home in the £70,000 Listed highlight over 1m2f, which was won by the German six-year-old Rolling Home (Andreas Wohler/Eddie Pedroza).

Johnston also had a runner in the skijoring in which thoroughbreds pull their riders along on skis. Seven-year-old Luberon finished third under jockey Silvio Staub.