Dettori close to seventh heaven

Published on Friday 30 October 2009 22:20

FRANKIE Dettori came close to pulling off another 'Magnificent Seven' yesterday when he won his sixth race in a row, before his run of consecutive victories was brought to a halt at Newmarket.

The affable Italian jockey – who famously rode all seven winners at Ascot in September 1996 – scored on his last four rides at Lingfield on Thursday, then picked up where he left off by winning the opening two races of yesterday's card at Headquarters.

He partnered his fifth consecutive winner as Godolphin's Asraab (6-4) made a successful debut, then made it six out of six on 10-11 favourite Quick Wit, also for his employers. Dettori's bid for winner No7 was thwarted when Conniption could finish only fourth to Hughie Morrison's Queen's Grace in the six-furlong EBF Igloos Bosra Sham Fillies' Stakes.

Dettori did, however, manage to get a seventh winner inside two days when Aaim To Prosper won the final race for trainer Brian Meegan at 7-2.

Speaking after Quick Wit's win, Dettori – who had notched his 100th winner of the season 24 hours earlier – said: "I have now won my last six races which is fabulous. It's great to add to my 100."

Dettori will ride at Newmarket today, before he flies out to Australia in a bid to end his Emirates Melbourne Cup drought. His mount, Godolphin's Kirklees, is an outsider for Tuesday's big race after a disappointing effort in the Caulfield Cup but won his last three starts in Britain, including two Group races.

Flat enthusiasts have some decent action at Newmarket into which to sink their teeth today, including the Listed bet365.com James Seymour Stakes.

Godolphin's Prince Siegfried arrived on the back of two runaway successes both here and at Ayr and it would be a brave man who bets against him completing a hat-trick.

The Mark Johnston-trained Alsufooh can open his account at the second time of asking in Ayr's Kelburne Construction Maiden Stakes, while Bea Menace gets the nod in Kempton's Betfair Multiples Handicap.

There is the usual Saturday night fare at Wolverhampton and the best bet of their card appears to be Basle in the opening Cleanevent Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Jumps action also shares centre stage today, and with Ollie Magern a force to be reckoned with when fresh, he looks set to claim a third victory in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

The 11-year-old made every yard of the running in 2005 and 2007, turning in two fantastic display of jumping over what are notoriously unforgiving fences. He was beaten just a length by State Of Play in the Grade Two prize 12 months ago and the likely fast conditions he will encounter this year will certainly play to his strengths.

Unlike some of his rivals who may have targets later in the season, Nigel Twiston-Davies will have his charge fully tuned-up for this assignment.

It could well turn out to be a fantastic day for the Twiston-Davies camp as Pettifour goes for a second successive victory in the John Smith's Hurdle.

The seven-year-old rounded off the last campaign with arguably his best ever effort as he chased home Fiveforthree at the Punchestown Festival. And with just 12 runs under his belt, it is not inconceivable that there is more improvement to come.