Frankie Dettori snapped up for Melbourne Cup hopeful Master Of Reality

Superstar rider Frankie Dettori will get another chance to add a first Lexus Melbourne Cup to his brimming CV on November 5 after connections of the Joseph O'Brien-trained Master Of Reality wasted no time securing the services of the Italian rider at Flemington next month.

There are not many major races across the globe Dettori has failed to conquer in an illustrious career but he has so far tried without success to land Australia's biggest race 16 times.

The 48-year-old has come close to lifting the Melbourne Cup on more than one occasion and finished runner-up on Godolphin's Central Park in 1999 and Max Dynamite for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci in 2015.

Master Of Reality (navy silks and white cap, centre) finished third in the Gold Cup at Royal AscotCredit: Alan Crowhurst

His last ride in the race was for Master Of Reality's owner Lloyd Williams two years ago, when he finished 12th aboard previous winner and 6-1 joint-favourite Almandin.

Williams has won Australia's most prestigious race a record six times, most recently with the O'Brien-trained Rekindling in 2017, and will renew his association with Dettori next month with his agent, Ray Cochrane, confirming the reports in Australia.

Master Of Reality appears to be heading to Flemington with decent credentials, having been beaten only a length by Dettori and star stayer Stradivarius when third in the Gold Cup at Ascot in June.

Dettori finished second in the 2015 Melbourne Cup on Max Dynamite (left)Credit: Vince Caligiuri

He has since finished third behind Southern France at the Curragh in August and fifth to the progressive Search For A Song in the Irish St Leger last month.

Targeting his seventh success in the race, Williams could also be represented by Master Of Reality's stablemates Latrobe and Twilight Payment, as well as the Liam Howley-trained duo Yucatan and Homesman.

Leading Sydney-based rider James McDonald will partner Latrobe, while Wayne Lordan is set to ride Twilight Payment, a relatively new addition to the O'Brien stable having previously been with Jim Bolger.

Frankie Dettori's recent Melbourne Cup record

2018 Did not ride
2017 12th – Almandin
2016 22nd – Wicklow Brave
2015 2nd – Max Dynamite
2014 Did not ride
2013 Did not ride
2012 12th – Cavalryman
2011 Did not ride
2010 6th – Holberg
2009 Did not ride

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