Dettori excitement builds for Cracksman’s Royal Ascot bid

Frankie Dettori insists there will be a different Cracksman on show in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

The three-time Group 1 winner struggled to win the Coronation Strakes at Epsom on his last start, only just managing to reel in 33/1 shot Salouen.

The John Gosden-trained four-year-old has won seven of his nine career starts including the last five and has earned almost £1.9million in prize money.

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But Dettori, who missed Royal Ascot last year with an arm injury, is revved up at the prospect of renewing his partnering with Cracksman.
He said: “He’s fine. I rode him yesterday and he just doesn’t like Epsom.

“He loves Ascot and if the beast who won the Champion Stakes turns up then we’re going to have lots of fun. His CV is tremendous. I’m as excited as anyone about Wednesday.”

Gosden said Cracksman will bypass the Group 1 Eclipse at Sandown on July 7 in favour of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

“The Ascot race will be at the end of a busy period for the horse, so there’s no reason to be turning him out again quickly in the Eclipse,” said Gosden. “The plan would be to keep him fresh for the King George.”

Regarding Wednesday’s test in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Gosden added: “The draw is very important for the 10-furlong races at Ascot as the bend at Swinley Bottom is not far from the start. We’ve had problems coming from the high numbers before, but we’ll have to see what the 48-hour stage brings us.

“One thing we’re not concerned about is the ground as Cracksman is quite versatile as regards surface. He’s won on everything from good to soft.”

Brigadier Gerrard Stakes scorer Poet’s Word, Dubai Sheema Classic hero Hawkbill and last season’s Derby fourth Eminent are likely to be among Cracksman’s rivals for the 1m2f feature on day two of Royal Ascot.

Dettori is saving himself for next week and will have just three rides beforehand. He explained: “Ascot means everything, so not being able to take part last year was hard to take. It’s our Olympics.”

The 47-year-old Italian is also keen to renew his partnership with American trainer Wesley Ward’s runners. Ward was the first US-based trainer to achieve a winner at the iconic meeting in 2009 and he is primed to bring another strong raiding party across the pond next week.

“Royal Ascot is what I live for – it’s the focal point of my year,” said Ward.

Lady Aurelia will bid to make it three wins in three years at the meeting for Ward. She scored in the Queen Mary Stakes in 2016 and then scorched to victory in the King’s Stand by three lengths last year. She will bid to follow up in that same race on Tuesday.

Ward, whose double at last year’s meeting took his tally to nine Royal Ascot winners, is also likely to saddle Undrafted, who is part-owned by former NFL wide receiver Wes Welker. Undrafted won the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the meeting in 2015 and has the Wokingham Handicap as his target this time.

Bound For Nowhere is due to contest the Commonwealth Cup for Ward, with Nootka Sound set for the Windsor Castle Stakes. Fairyland, owned by the Coolmore partnership of Michael Tabor, John Magnier and Derek Smith is set for the Albany Stakes, and will join fellow juvenile Happy Like A Fool (Queen Mary Stakes) as part of a seven-strong team from Ward’s barn.

The fare before the Royal meeting is relatively low key, but there are six British meetings to enjoy on Friday, with York’s Listed Ganton Stakes (4.05) the best on offer.

Here Comes When, trained by Andrew Balding, won a decent handicap here on his seasonal debut last summer. He faces four rivals in the Ganton Stakes and will relish this class drop, having finished a creditable fifth in the Group 2 Mile at Sandown in April on his return to action.

Friday’s Selections:

York: 1.50 Big Boots, 2.20 Mafaaheem, 2.55 Minas Gerais, 3.30 Magic City, 4.05 Here Comes When (NAP), 4.40 Sandra’s Secret, 5.15 Zeelander

Sandown: 2.00 Dark Shadow, 2.35 Happy Power, 3.10 Brigand, 3.45 Turnpike Trip, 4.20 Autumn Leaves, 4.50 Beringer, 5.25 Eyecatcher

Newton Abbot: 2.10 Ringa Ding Ding, 2.45 Days Of Heaven, 3.20 Flow With Eve, 3.55 Capitoul, 4.30 Passing Call, 5.00 Key To The West, 5.30 Storm Fire

Aintree: 5.45 Primigeniture, 6.15 Cracker Factory, 6.50 Petrou, 7.20 Cause Toujours, 7.55 Champagne At Tara, 8.25 Skewiff, 8.55 High Jinx

Chepstow: 5.55 Gilmer, 6.25 Axel Jacklin (nb), 7.00 Poet’s Princess, 7.30 Kinglami, 8.05 David’s Beauty, 8.35 Arabian Fairytale, 9.05 Maroc

Goodwood: 6.05 Pastoral Player, 6.35 Nayslayer, 7.10 Ship Of The Fen, 7.40 Eden Rose, 8.15 Litigation, 8.45 Saroog

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