Dettori backs Inspiral decision

Frankie Dettori has given his full support towards the decision to run Inspiral in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf rather than the Breeders' Cup Mile.

INSPIRAL
INSPIRAL Picture: PA

The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-time Group 1-winner will tackle the ten-furlong trip for the first time at Santa Anita this Saturday, as the daughter of Frankel bids to complete a top-level hat-trick in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Dettori, who partnered the four-year-old filly on the Santa Anita track on Tuesday morning, said: "Inspiral took to the pony really well and was quiet by her standards."

On the decision to run in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf rather than the Breeders' Cup Mile., Dettori added: "Sometimes the Mile turf race here is very draw-dependent, so I think it was a good decision to go for the longer race. She doesn't need any introduction; she was a champion at two and at three and is top drawer."

Dettori looks to have a good book of rides across the weekend in California and is looking forward to being reunited with Champion Stakes victor King Of Steel just a fortnight on from their heroics at Ascot.

"King Of Steel wouldn't be running unless Roger felt he had taken his race well," said Dettori.

"The atmosphere [at Ascot] was unreal, and I thought the roof was going to come off the stand. He had to fight for it and had a hard race, but he weighs 570 kilos, he has plenty of meat there and I'm sure Roger wouldn't bring him unless he was happy."

The now California-based global star will team up with old Ralph Beckett and Aidan O'Brien on the juvenile card on Friday, as Unquestionably heads to the Juvenile Turf and Starlust the Juvenile Turf Sprint.

He said: "Unquestionably has rock-solid form in the Juvenile Turf. He's fulfilled expectations and I'm looking forward to him.

"Starlust [Juvenile Turf Sprint] has a couple rated higher than him but he ran well in the Middle Park."

Inspiral heads the betting at 9/4 with Paddy Power in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, with the same firm going 5/1 about King Of Steel providing the Italian maestro with a memorable double in the Breeders' Cup Turf later on the card.


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