3 minute read
A Winner for Frankie Dettori.
Elite Power ran out a dominant winner of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) to give jockey Frankie Dettori victory at The Saudi Cup Meeting before retiring from the saddle at the end of the year.
The Juddmonte-owned five-year-old is trained in the United States by Bill Mott and had previously won the Breeders' Cup Sprint last November, setting the standard against a competitive field. He won easily by three-and-a-quarter l.engths from another American runner Gunite.
The race was settled with 200m to run as Dettori unleashed a lethal turn of foot from Elite Power who had been midfield through the initial stages.
"My first word has to be aeroplane. I was a little out of reach and asked him to get a little closer and then the turbo just kicked in and I was a passenger then.
"He's a very laid-back horse and only does what you ask him to do but wow he has some turn of foot.
"The Abdullah family has given so much to the sport; the legacy keeps going. I love these colours (Dettori also rode Enable to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victories wearing these colours) and it's nice to give the locals something to cheer about."
Assistant trainer to Bill Mott, Neil Poznansky added:
"He's a big strong animal. He shows nothing but class. He shipped over here like he was here his whole life. He's a good horse, a very good horse. His turn of foot is incredible, he's just incredible to watch, a magnificent animal.
"He's really coming into himself and getting better as he was really slow to mature. Now he's putting it all together. For Frankie and Juddmonte it was like a whole dynasty thing."
The Japanese challenger Remake finished two lengths further back in third whilst last year's winner Dancing Prince disappointed and could only manage fifth. The winning time was 1:11.01.