DETTORI SET TO RIDE MELBOURNE CUP WINNER

Frankie Dettori set to ride Verry Elleegant

Okay so he’s not riding one in that way but he will be riding the current Melbourne Cup winner when she steps out onto the track for her debut in France later this month.

Dettori has been booked to ride Verry Elleegant in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet (2000m) at Deauville on August 21 under the watchful eyes of her new trainer Francis-Henri Gaffard.

Owner Brae Soloski was more than happy to have the two time Melbourne Cup winner booked to ride his runner on debut.

“We have the King (Dettori) and Queen (Verry Elleegant) combining – there is a real ‘romantic’ aspect to it,’’ Sokolski said.

“Frankie is getting towards the end of his career as our mare is, too.’’

With Dettori based in the UK he won’t get chance to ride Verry Elleegant before she makes her French debut however Soloski trusts the veteran horseman's capabilities. 

“Ideally, we would have him aboard her for her final serious gallop but it is not going to happen,’’ Sokolski said.

“But Frankie has the experience and Verry Elleegant is a much more mature mare now.

“As a young horse, she was difficult to handle but she is quite relaxed now so it should be an issue.’’

Having failed to fire during the Autumn, Very Elleegant has settled well into her new life in France where Soloski had recently been to see his prize runner knowing that he would face a stark decision should she fail to fire. 

“It is somewhat sobering because she has to perform now,’’ Sokolski said.

“Verry Elleegant is up to a middle distance and we know how good she is over this trip, she never runs a poor race.

“So, if she doesn’t perform then we are going to be confronted with a pretty stark decision very quickly – but this mare has always produced when it mattered.’’

Should she go well in her debut, the long term plan for Verry Elleegant would be to run in Europes most recognisable race. The Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.

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