John Gosden would like to offer Frankie Dettori another memorable leg of his farewell ‘world tour’ when he rides Gregory in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster next week.
Gosden and Dettori have teamed up to win the final classic of the season twice before, with Shantou in 1996 and Logikian in 2019.
The Italian will be aiming for a seventh St Leger success overall when he shares Gregory’s Town More, with Classic Cliché (1995), Scorpion (2005), Sixties Icon (2006) and Conduit (2008) his other victories.
Dettori’s final year as a professional rider saw him have a number of notable wins, and Gosden quipped: “I think the fantastic World Tour is going very well.
He moved to Deauville in one running and won the Prix Jacques Le Marois. He won the Juddmonte International at York, the Ascot Gold Cup, the 2000 Guineas and also won the Dubai Turf earlier this year.
“So, I think the World Tour is going very well and I’m sure he’d like to wrap it up in Doncaster in the Classic Final.”
Gosden can boast five wins in the St Leger and will now be chasing his first success since securing a joint license with his son Thadie.
Gregory He is considered by sponsors Betfred as a pick among the four possible runners and he currently heads the outright betting at 3-1.
Son of Golden Horn was one of the Group Two leading scorers at Royal Ascot over a Leger over one mile six furlongs at the Queen’s Vase.
He then paid the price for setting a very strong pace when he finished third to the Great Voltigeur at York, but Big Gosden is hoping to turn the tables on the continuing winner.
“Gregory went a little fast early in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York,” said the trainer. When I saw the early stages I thought ‘we’ve just done 12 seconds over a furlong’.
“I think there were three of them trying to take the lead and they all got into an early struggle. You’re not going to do those parts for the first three furlongs and finish the race.
“It was clear where the winner was coming from, he was 20 lengths back. He had a very good race and when Frankie got his hands on he sprinted well to the line and after the line.
“He came out of the race at York in very good shape. If the weather was fair at Doncaster, it wouldn’t bother him being on top of the ground.”
Arrest and Frankie Dettori win the Chester Vase
It is unlikely that an arrest would take place in Leger on fast ground
Stablemate Arrest He prepared for another potential crack at Classic glory with a comfortable win in the Group Three Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.
After running away at the Chester Vase in May, he disappointed in the Derby and at Royal Ascot but is now looking on the right track, although Gosden would like to see some rain hit South Yorkshire.
He said: “We’re very pleased with Arrest, he did his race very well at Newbury. He’s top of the order but I think if he’s been holding well at Doncaster then I think you’ll find him heading to Paris for the Prix Chaudenay instead”. From Doncaster.
“He’s a beautiful horse but he moves his knee and will enjoy what I call Autumn Ground more.”
