Gold Cup victory justifies shrewd Dettori’s powers of Vision
JUBILANT Frankie Dettori declared his judgment had been vindicated after his decision to race 6-1 chance Colour Vision over Opinion Poll inspired Gold Cup victory on day three of Royal Ascot.
The Italian-born jockey survived a stewards’ inquiry after bumping into runner up Opinion Poll, ridden by Goldophin team-mate Mickael Barzola, in the race’s closing stages before winning by half a length, and immediately insisted the result had justified any pressure he had felt.
“That was my best chance of the week,” said Dettori. “It was a very hard decision to make between Colour Vision and Opinion Poll – both are great horses, great warriors.
“But I’ve finished the best, though only by a short margin. I’m delighted for the team and myself – it’s been a hard week.
“It was great, we have a great team, and first and second is a great result.
“Mickael [Barzalona] and I are good friends, but when you are out there you’re by yourself, you always want to win for yourself. It doesn’t matter who’s in the finish with you, you always try to win.”
Dermot Weld’s Princess Highway won the Ribblesdale Stakes by six lengths, William Haggas’s Favourite Fast Or Free finished first in the Britannia Stakes and Jens Hirschberger’s Energizer won the Tercentenary Stakes to become first German-trained Royal Ascot winner.