Dettori wins Coronation cup

Frankie Dettori warmed up for his bid to win an elusive first Derby with a masterful ride to land the Vodafone Coronation Cup on Mutafaweq at Epsom today.

The Italian, who partners Tobougg in tomorrow`s premier Classic, showed he is at the height of his powers by 'stealing' the Group One contest for Godolphin.

Sensing none of his five rivals in the mile-and-a-half event wanted to make the running he sent his mount, the 1999 St Leger winner, to the front from the start and set no more than a modest pace.

He then won the race by quickening round Tattenham Corner, a move which caught all of his opponents flat-footed.

Richard Quinn managed to conjure a late run out of Wellbeing but was unable to reel in the winner, who held on by a short head at the line.

There was another four lengths back to last year`s St Leger winner Millenary, who started 6-4 favourite.

'Nobody wanted to go to the front so I had it my own way,' Dettori said. 'I thought aslong as nothing comes quick at me and I can stretch them from five out then if they come to me I will give them a battle and it worked out.

'The key to this horse is he must have it firm - he loves to hear his feet rattle. They were two very brave horses at the finish and I am glad mine had a big nose!'

Dettori hinted that he may adopt similarly aggressive tactics on Tobougg in the Derby, a race in which second place on Tamure in 1995 remains his best previous effort from eight rides.

'There are 12 runners, we will put him in the field and see what happens,' he said. 'I rode him the other morning and a mile is definitely too short for him now - we will see what happens but you have got to dream.'

His mount finished only ninth in last month`s Sagitta 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

But Dettori stressed: 'He was the best two-year-old in Europe last year. You have to forget the Guineas but on form he has got as good a chance as any.'

Mutafaweq, who won Group One races in Germany and Canada last year, could bid for a fifth success at the highest level in next month`s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot, for which his odds were slashed from 20-1 to 10-1 by Coral.

Stable-companion Fantastic Light is 3-1 favourite (from 4-1) for that race, which his yard have dominated in recent years.

And Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: 'Mutafaweq is in all the top mile-and-half races and there is no definite plan. He is a very brave and very tough horse.

'Remember, after he won the St Leger he was dehydrated and a lot of people thought he would never recover. He has tremendous courage and ability.'

If heading for the King George could face a rematch with Wellbeing, whose odds were cut to 10-1 from 16-1 after a run which left trainer Henry Cecil eyeing a trip to Royal Ascot first.

'The winner just got first run but never mind, it seemed that they didn`t go very fast earlyon and that counted against him,' Cecil said. 'All being well, he`ll probably go for the Hardwicke Stakes.'

Pat Eddery felt third-placed Millenary (10-1 from 8-1 for the King George) had been unsuited by the track.

Trainer John Dunlop said: 'Pat said he wouldn`t handle the turn at all. Pat said he was hanging and leaning all the way and he couldn`t ride him at all.'

Disappointment of the race was the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Petrushka, who drifted markedly in the betting and could finish only fifth under Kieren Fallon.

Harry Herbert, for owners Highclere Thoroughbreds, said: 'Michael will be very disappointed.

'Kieren said that running down the hill she was very unbalanced. He said she was all at sea.

'We`ll regroup and see what Michael says and possibly look at the Eclipse.'