FRANKIE has the bookies running for cover… in other news, water is wet.
Legendary jock Dettori steered Soul Sister to a brilliant win in the Musidora Stakes and she is now just 4-1 from a whopping 66s for the Oaks on June 2.
Frankie Dettori steered Soul Sister to an easy win at York
The Italian already has one Classic in the bag this season, thanks to Guineas hero Chaldean, and he will fancy his chances of landing at least one more after his filly bolted up at York.
She finished last of 12 on testing ground at Newbury last month, but Dettori still rode her with plenty of confidence on her first crack at a mile and a quarter.
She breezed into contention at the two-furlong pole and quickly put the race to bed with a sharp turn of foot – with her odds for the fillies’ Classic early next month collapsing as a result.
If the jockey can notch a fifth Oaks win it will be an expensive one for the old enemy, who have endured plenty of pain and suffering at Epsom over the years at the hands of Dettori.
When he won the Derby on hot favourite Authorized in 2007 it was a “nightmare result”, while one bookie claimed to have “done our absolute conkers” on Golden Horn in 2015.
Given the manner of Soul Sister’s hugely impressive four-length victory, Dettori will have plenty of supporters on his final visit to Epsom before he retires at the end of the season.
Dettori and old pal John Gosden also have a big chance in the Derby with the promising Chester winner Arrest, and he guided Chaldean to a famous win in the 2000 Guineas earlier this month.
His final season could hardly be going better and he grinned: “I knew she was a nice filly but I wasn’t expecting that!
“She travelled and quickened up great, I was surprised how easily she took me into the lead and she put it to bed really well.
“I am looking forward to riding her in the Oaks, she gave me a great feel. I’m a lucky boy at the moment, long may it continue.”
Dettori revealed that he had a good omen when on the gallops on Wednesday morning ahead of his trip to York.
He joked: “I had a good omen this morning – a bird pooped all over my trousers as I was riding out.”
Soul Sister is now the clear second favourite for the Oaks behind the hot 5-4 shot Savethelastdance.
