Frankie steals the show in the Gold Cup

Frankie Dettori returns on Colour Vision to huge applause after their Gold Cup triumph. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

It was a great day for Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot today as he brought Colour Vision home in front at the end of the two-and-a-half mile Gold Cup, race two in the Long Distance division of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

When Opinion Poll, whom Dettori rode into second place last year, took it up inside the final furlong, it looked as though Dettori had chosen the wrong horse this afternoon.

The veteran jockey had other ideas, however, and got his mount back up to win by half a length.

A stewards’ enquiry followed as Frankie’s mount had given Opinion Poll a couple of bumps, but it wasn’t long before the result was confirmed.

Saddler’s Rock, successful in last year’s Stobart Doncaster Cup, was a close third after pulling hard in the early stages when a sedate pace was set by the horse that finished fourth, Gulf Of Naples.

It was a rare setback in this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series for the Aidan O’Brien stable, which saddled the red hot favourite, Fame And Glory.

Last year’s winner was never in contention and could not pick up in the straight, finishing seventh.

Dettori said: "It was great. This was my best chance of the week.

"I had to make a very hard decision (to ride Colour Vision rather than Opinion Poll). They are both great horses and warriors and I finished up the best, but only by a short margin.

"I’m delighted for the team and myself as well. It’s been a very hard week and I’m glad this one came up."

The winning trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, saddling his fifth Gold Cup winner, said: "After Frankie rode the horse last time, he knew it would be hard to choose between the two but when he picked our horse, he thought he’d picked the best one.

"He’s improving all the time.

"I’ve won the Gold Cup before but it’s very special to win it again.

"We know now that he can run in all the best staying races and it’s great to see Frankie winning it again."

Mahmood Al Zarooni, trainer of Opinion Poll, said: "He ran very well, no excuses today. They are two nice horses, it doesn’t matter as we are one team.

"As for future plans we will see what Simon (Crisford, racing manager) and Sheikh Mohammed want to do."

John Oxx, trainer of Saddler’s Rock, said: "The race was a bit of farce for him, unfortunately, as they went too slow early on, which meant he pulled for the first mile or so and then it was a sprint for the last mile and he couldn’t quicken on the soft ground.

"He got a bit unbalanced, Johnny (Murtagh) said, and he was struggling, but then he finally got going when it was too late.

"There are a lot of options for him, probably starting off with the Goodwood Cup, and we’ll look at similar races.

"He needs good to firm ground and a good pace to be at his best, but unfortunately we haven’t got a pacemaker."