What a week! Dettori to partner Melbourne Cup favourite after Del Mar aces

Frankie Dettori is licking his lips at a mouth-watering spread of plum international rides over the next seven days that gets better and better.

It's hard to believe an autumn already graced by a fabulous Arc win on Enable, a hugely important Queen Elizabeth II Stakes success on Persuasive and a Champion Stakes romp on Cracksman can get any better.

However, Dettori's worldwide standing is such that Monday morning brought the ride on Melbourne Cup favourite Almandin to follow on from a Breeders' Cup book headed by dual Group 1 winner Ulysses in the Turf and last year's heroine Queen's Trust in the Filly and Mare.

Dettori has ridden at most of the world's most iconic racecourses, but he has never before ridden at Del Mar, widely recognised as one of the most picturesque tracks in the United States but staging the Breeders' Cup for the first time. Showing the professionalism that is a hallmark, he flew out on Monday in order get well acquainted with the course.

On his way to the airport with George Scott, for whom he will ride Mill Reef winner James Garfield in Friday's Juvenile Turf, he confirmed: "I've never ridden at Del Mar before, and so that's why I'm going out early. I've got rides there on Wednesday and Thursday so I can get to know the track."

He added: "I think nearly all the Breeders' Cup races will be maximum fields and, as it's a tight track, the draw is going to be important, but I've got some good ammunition, with hopefully six decent rides. I'm excited about it."

'Much better this year'

Having missed out on good opportunities this summer on Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International winner Ulysses he is itching to get back on board the four-year-old, who has improved markedly, like so many of Sir Michael Stoute's older horses, since he finished fourth on him behind Highland Reel in the corresponding race at Santa Anita last year.

He said: "I rode Ulysses last year and I would have ridden him again in the Prince of Wales's but for injuring my shoulder four days before Royal Ascot. I haven't ridden him at home at all this year, but I've seen plenty of him, of course, and he's a much better horse this year.

"Highland Reel will be a tough nut to crack again, but I think a sharp mile and a half on fast ground will be perfect for Ulysses."

Juddmonte International winner Ulysses is set to clash with Decorated Hero and Highland Reel in the Breeders' Cup TurfCredit: Mark Cranham

Ulysses is disputing favouritism with last year's winner at around 5-2, but Queen's Trust, who last year got up late in one of the most dramatic finishes of the meeting, is somewhat neglected at up to 10-1 in places.

Dettori said: "Last year at Santa Anita is the only time I've ridden Queen's Trust, and so I'm really looking forward to her too."

Looking at his other rides he added: "George has had the Juvenile Turf in mind for James Garfield since we won the Mill Reef and he's a lovely little horse. It's up to a mile, but Del Mar is a pretty tight track.

"I also ride Juliet Capulet [John Gosden's Cheveley Park filly on whom he won Newmarket's Rockfel Stakes] in Friday's Juvenile Fillies' Turf and Karar for Francis Graffard if he gets in the Mile. I could also be on Bahamian for Simon Callaghan in the Juvenile Dirt."

Snapped up for Almandin

It is possible there will be more rides too. Dettori's agent Ray Cochrane said: "Flavien Prat's agent Derek Lawson is looking out for Frankie, and as Flavien has two or three possibles in some races we're hoping another ride or two may come our way."

The news that Dettori has been snapped up for last year's winner Almandin in the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday emerged early on Monday morning when intended Damien Oliver was ruled out after a failed appeal against the 20-meeting ban imposed for improper riding in Saturday's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

Dettori has yet to win the Emirates-sponsored spectacular, but it has long been high on his wishlist and he's had few, if any, comparable opportunities.

The 46-year-old came close to victory two years ago on the Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite, who was a half-length second to Prince Of Penzance, and he was beaten the same distance on Godolphin outsider Central Park in 1999. However, last year he was only 22nd of 24 on the Mullins-trained Wicklow Brave.

Almandin (Kerrin McEvoy, nearside) beats Heartbreak City in last year's Emirates Melbourne CupCredit: Vince Caligiuri

He said: "I'm excited. I've been going to the Melbourne Cup for about 25 years and I've never won it, although I've been second twice. It's one of the world's best races and my wife's mother is Australian, so it's quite a big deal in our family.

"I've known Almandin's owner Lloyd Williams for years and he's been a good supporter of mine. I rode Order Of St George for him when he was third in the Arc last year, and although this isn't the way you like to pick up a ride it's not of my doing. Let's hope this is my year."

While many of us would find the logistics involved in so much travelling too daunting to contemplate, Dettori is a past master and is untroubled by the prospect.

He said: "I've been doing it for 20-odd years and I've done it both ways – from America to Australia and from Australia to America. It doesn't bother me. I've got the T-shirt."

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