Frankie Dettori© Photo Healy Racing
Frankie Dettori produced a masterful ride on Dubai Warrior to run out a convincing winner of the Betway Winter Derby at Lingfield.
Dettori made one of his rare visits to the domestic all-weather scene this winter — and treated racegoers to one of his hallmark front-running displays.
As soon as Dubai Warrior broke smartly out of the stalls, the popular Italian was able to grab the lead and dictated proceedings throughout the mile and a quarter.
He slowed things down mid-race and then quickened the tempo over two furlongs out, just before the home turn.
Dubai Warrior (13-8) produced a neat turn of foot to put more daylight between himself and his rivals to cross the line two and three-quarter lengths ahead of his stablemate Court House.
Bangkok, the 8-13 favourite, was third having been unable to reproduce his record-breaking win over the course and distance three weeks ago.
Riding in Britian for the first time this year, Dettori was in flying dismount form afterwards and said: “I tried not to burn too much petrol at the beginning. I was looking for Silvestre (de Sousa, on Bangkok) but I could feel some daylight and I knew then he would finish the race very strong, so it’s good.
“He’s got such a big body and he’s taken time to get it all together, but he’s getting better and I suspect he’ll come back here on Good Friday (Easter Classic). It’s the obvious choice.”
