AUTHORISED by Sheikh Mohammed, authorised by destiny. Frankie Dettori jubilantly fulfilled his dream on Saturday.
After 14 failures in the Derby, he got what he had always wished for with a coveted first win.
Successful in every other British Classic at least twice, winner of many of the world's greatest races, and author of his own Magnificent Seven when he rode every winner at Ascot on September 28, 1996, Dettori had done virtually everything else there was to do inthe sport.
Saturday's storyline had been prepared for many years, but it required a horse with the brilliance of the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Authorized to ensure Dettori saw it through to the right conclusion.
Yes, the pressure was on, but no one was to be let down, such was the superiority Authorized, the 5-4 favourite, held over his rivals in the Vodafone Derby as he raced to a win that inflicted what bookmakers claimed was their heaviest defeat ever in the Derby.
There was an extra spring in the legs of the delirious Italian as he performed his famous flying dismount from the back of Authorized into the arms of his tearful father, Gianfranco.
“This is a dream come true,” said Dettori, 36.
“I have been waiting so long to do this. I haven't slept for two weeks, but this was the first day I have felt all right,” he said.
“Now all the bullshit was out of the way I just had to keep focused and do my job.
“It was a long two and a half minutes and they went a serious gallop. I counted the horses in front of me coming down the hill and I think there were ten but I knew if they kept up the gallop there wouldn't be a problem.
“At the four-and-a-half pole I had a peep under my arm and I could only see daylight. I got him balanced going to the two-furlong marker and he stretched away.
“When I got past the furlong marker the world stopped, my heart stopped, I knew this was going to be my moment.
“Everything went so smoothly. I expected a dogfight but it was like an oil painting, beautiful and smooth.”
Authorized started slowly and was further back in the field than was ideal, but Dettori stayed out of danger and set out to track Strategic Prince down the hill to Tattenham Corner. Once into the straight, only one result appeared likely and when Dettori produced the colt to make his challenge, Authorized, tongue lolling out, quickly pulled well clear of the field, crossing the line five lengths in front of Eagle Mountain with Aqaleem beating Lucarno in the photo finish for third.
“After we crossed the line, nobody could get to me,” Dettori added.
“I could hear people saying well done, but they were a furlong behind. I wanted to cry, be happy. I haven't had a chance to sit down and have a proper cry.” :zzzzzzzzz:
Chapple-Hyam had experienced Derby success before but his memories of his triumph 15 years ago with Dr Devious was “a haze”. This was an occasion he was determined to enjoy.
“I don't take drugs, but I smoke and drink, but this is better than anything,” he said. :eee:
“Authorized was probably further back than he wanted to be, but he got the perfect ride.”
Chapple-Hyam signalled that he could next run Authorized in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes next, for which he is 4-5 favourite with the sponsors. :ppp:
He and Kuwaiti owners Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar will hope Dettori is free again to ride. The jockey became available for the Derby only after Sheikh Mohammed released him from Godolphin commitments. Authorized is also 7-4 favourite with William Hill for the King George.
Sagar said: “When I heard Frankie was free to ride, it was great news. I even planned to have a talk with Sheikh Mohammed or event visit him.”
Dettori said: “I can't state enough how great Sheikh Mohammed has been to me.
“I've worked for him for 13 years and he is the guy who pays the bills. If it wasn't for him I would have been in the position to win and if I win the Derby again one day I hope it will be for him.
“One day when I retire I can safely say I have conquered my sport. I have achieved everything I want to achieve. It's nice to say I've done it.”
King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
William Hill: 7-4 Authorized, 5 Dylan Thomas, 6 Red Rocks, 7 Notnowcato, Vengeance Of Rain, 8 Mandesha, Scorpion, Youmzain, 9 Pop Rock, 12 bar
BBC Sports Personality of the Year
Coral: 8-11 Lewis Hamilton, 9-2 Andy Murray, 10 (from 16) Frankie Dettori, 20 Jonny Wilkinson, Joe Calzaghe, 25 Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan
阿肥卓係咪贏完打比後High到傻o左？想同Motivator繼續走「同一軌跡」？
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本帖最後由 Running 於 3/6/2007 08:49 AM 編輯 ]
