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Turf topics: From Thirsk to Epsom, as Dettori eyes Derby glory
NOT many winners of the Epsom Derby have previously raced at Thirsk – but Frankie Dettori believes Passion For Gold is a horse that can carry him, and Sheikh Mohammed, to victory in the world famous classic next summer.
Having ended his Epsom hoodoo on Authorized in 2007, Dettori now wants to win the Derby for the Sheikh's Godolphin racing operation and the royal blue silks made famous by the irrepressible Italian's flying dismounts after every Grade One success.
And he has named Passion For Gold as the colt who could repay his owner's never-wavering support – and offer Sheikh Mohammed a respite from criticism about his management of Dubai's floundering economy.
A lightly-raced son of American stallion Medaglia D'Oro, the flashy colt went into a few notebooks when winning on his debut at Thirsk in August and ran a very nice race when staying on to be third to St Nicholas Abbey in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh on his next run, in what was marked step up in class.
He showed he belonged at the top level on his third and last run, a six-length demolition job in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in November.
That performance means he is now as short as 10-1 for Epsom glory and it was certainly an effort which left a favourable impression on Dettori.
"I am looking forward to Passion For Gold, he is a genuine Derby prospect," said Dettori who is further buoyed by the form line with St Nicholas Abbey who went on to win Doncaster's Racing Post Trophy in late October.
"It was great to win the Derby (on Authorized), but I would love to win it for Godolphin.
"To have a legitimate Derby candidate is great. We had Dubawi, Rio De La Plata and Dubai Millennium, who didn't stay – in fact none of them were real stayers.
"Passion For Gold is a real stayer, so everything is in the right place now."
Flat racing in 2010 has a hard act to follow, with the all-conquering Sea The Stars barely out of the headlines and off to the breeding sheds. A Dettori Derby victory would certainly keep Flat Racing in the spotlight.
The almost inevitable departure of Sea The Stars after his Arc win – his sixth Group One win in six months, an unprecedented feat – was followed by that of his jockey, the decorated veteran Mick Kinane, and the vacancy at the John Oxx yard has been filled by Fran Berry.
He has been a star in Ireland for several years and finished third to Johnny Murtagh and Pat Smullen in the 2009 jockeys' title race, but he has made little impact further afield so far. That is about to change.
Other riders expected to make the headlines are Murtagh himself, who will be on a host of Coolmore starlets as well as Rip Van Winkle and Fame And Glory.
Former champion Kieren Fallon can be expected to challenge for the title now his troubled career is back on the rails. His likely duel with Ryan Moore, the current champion, has potential to light up the summer and go to the wire – just like the epic Seb Sanders and Jamie Spencer battle in 2007 which ended in a dead-heat.
What of the horses?
The aforementioned St Nicholas Abbey, named after a colonial plantation house in Barbados, is the one most likely to be giving supporters cause for celebration at Epsom in early June.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt showed a remarkable turn of foot in winning what looked a top-class renewal of the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October and heads the market for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby, the latter from his stablemate Jan Vermeer. Cheveley Park winner Special Duty is the one they have to beat in the 1000 Guineas, but the Oaks is wide open, though Henry Cecil would once more be assured of a rapturous reception if he could lift the prize with Timepiece or Kithonia. Cecil's stable jockey Tom Queally is another name who will be making headlines in 2010.
First, he will have to get passed that man Frankie Dettori.
20 brain-teasers from the racing year
1. How much weight did Denman, pictured right, successfully concede to stablemate What A Friend in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury?
2. Which colt chased home Sea The Stars and Delegator in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket?
3. Something Wells gave this jockey his first ever Cheltenham Festival winner in the Freddie Williams Festival Plate.
4. Possol second, Big Fella Thanks third. Name the big-race winner in February.
5. Sea The Stars aside, which horse earned Mick Kinane the most prize money in Europe this year?
6. Cappa Bleu was representing this trainer when landing the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham.
7. Scottish National hero Hello Bud initiated a 'National' double at which venue?
8. This colt made the frame in both the Craven Stakes and the Dante?
9. St Leger winner Mastery was beaten in which race at Royal Ascot?
10. Which rising star claimed the apprentices' title in Ireland?
11. Why did Our Kes' victory at Wolverhampton in September make the headlines?
12. The top jumping sire for 2008/09 - he also leads the standings for the current campaign.
13. Triumph Hurdle hero Zaynar was trained by which leading handler when running on the Flat?
14. What was the official winning margin of Kauto Star's demolition job in the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
15. What price was Sea The Stars allowed to start at in the Derby at Epsom?
16. Name the leading trainer at the 2009 Royal meeting.
17. Aidan O'Brien earned the most prize money in Britain courtesy of which horse?
18. Sir Michael Stoute famously led in a 1-2-3 in the King George at Ascot, but who was fourth?
19. Last season's smart novice hurdler, and now leading Arkle hope, Riverside Theatre is owned by which actor?
20. Which gelding benefited from a vintage Tony McCoy ride to land the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown?
Answers: 1. 22lb. 2. Gan Amhras. 3. William Biddick. 4. Nacarat (Racing Post Chase). 5. Alandi. 6. Sheila Crow. 7. Fontwell (Sussex National). 8. Sans Frontieres. 9. Queen's Vase. 10. Gary Carroll. 11. It was Kieren Fallon's first winner since his ban. 12. Presenting. 13. Alain de Royer-Dupre. 14. 13 lengths. 15. 11-4. 16. Barry Hills. 17. Rip Van Winkle. 18. Alwaary. 19. James Nesbitt. 20. Hennessy.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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