FRANKIE DETTORI is hoping he can land the knockout blow with Rewilding in Saturday’s heavyweight clash, the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
The Italian jockey looks on the Ascot showpiece as one of the jewels in racing’s crown and likened the contest – where the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained Rewilding will take on Workforce, St Nicholas Abbey and the three-year-old Nathaniel – to a heavyweight boxing clash.
Despite having won the midsummer championship contest four times Dettori is eager to again taste success in the King George – one of three big European contests he watched as a child growing up in Milan.
Rewilding was an excellent winner of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating Australian import So You Think last month, while earlier in the season the four-year-old took the Dubai Sheema Classic.
And connections are confident that Rewilding – a best-priced 10-3 with William Hill, totesport and Betfred – can add another leg of the QIPCO British Champions Series to his tally.
Dettori said: “He’s been a great horse for me. He’s hard as nails. He’s not very big, but his courage is fantastic.
“What a great race it is. As a child I was only able to watch three races in Milan, the Derby, the King George and the Arc, so for me, watching races as a kid was like watching races on the moon.
“To have won all three and to be part of them is always special, it’s like the Monaco Grand Prix – the King George is a massive race.
“I’ve won it four times so it’s been lucky for me.
“I’ve got a great chance this year so I’m very excited.
“It looks one of the best renewals for years. There might not be many runners, but you can’t get better than what will be there.
“I can’t wait. The great thing about the King George is that it’s a man’s race, it’s a tough track with an uphill finish and only the good ones come through.
“It’s like 12 rounds of a heavyweight boxing match – there is nowhere to hide, three furlongs out the gloves come off and only the best come through, that’s why it’s so special.”
Meanwhile a decision over Blue Bunting’s participation for either the Yorkshire Oaks or the St Leger will be made by Sheikh Mohammed.
The Godolphin-owned filly landed her second Classic of the season in Ireland on Sunday when just getting up to land the Irish Oaks.
With the St Leger trip unlikely to be a problem, she may be given extra time to have a crack at beating the colts at Doncaster.
Blue Bunting is a 12-1 chance with Stan James for the St Leger.
Trainer Al Zarooni said: “Because she travelled to Ireland for the first time in her life, it has just had a bit of an effect. She’s taken it well but looks a bit skinny, she lost a bit of weight with the travelling.
“But she’s happy, she’s bright and we’re happy.
“We’ll just think about her next race, the final decision will be made by Sheikh Mohammed. The options are the Yorkshire Oaks and the St Leger. I don’t think she would mind the trip of the Leger.
“Frankie said on Sunday after she passed the finish line she finally decided to run!
“She has a very good turn of foot, the best I’ve ever seen in a filly.
“She likes a clear track, but that’s why I say Frankie is the best because he knew that. It was a risky move but he knew what he was doing.
“That’s the difference between good jockeys and the others.
“She tries her best all the time, even in the morning. She’s a very relaxed filly and knows what you want. She also knows where the finish line is.
“In the first interview I ever did in England they asked how happy I was. I said I was very happy and the main thing was I’m very lucky, and I still think that.
“I need to thank His Highness, and that is why I try my best every day.”
TODAY’S NAP: Real Diamond (4.10pm Catterick)
