Dettori eyes fourth Leger victory
Dettori, successful in the world’s oldest Classic with Classic Cliche (1995), Shantou (1996) and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Scorpion last year, takes the ride on Jeremy Noseda’s classy colt after the pair teamed up to good effect in the Gordon Stakes last month.
Sixties Icon defeated Leger rival Jadalee by a comfortable length and three-quarters at Glorious Goodwood, which propelled him to the head of the market for the one-mile-six-furlong test.
Dettori now hopes his preference for the son of Galileo rather than Red Rocks will not come back to haunt him.
“He has done everything really well,” he said.
“I had a hard decision to make with Sixties Icon and Red Rocks – I hope that I am right tomorrow.”
Asked what swayed his choice, the popular Italian added: “I think Sixties Icon is the better stayer, but we will find out tomorrow.
“The ground is a bit dead but it would suit both horses. “I’ve done quite well in the Leger. I missed two winners (Rule of Law in 2004 and Mutafawaeq in 1999) because I was in Ireland (riding in the Champion Stakes) but I have won three.
“It’s been a good race for me so let’s hope everything goes well tomorrow.”
Sixties Icon is the 11-10 favourite with the sponsors, while the Richard Hughes-ridden Red Rocks – second to Youmzain in the Great Voltigeur – has been backed all week and is now as low as 4-1 with the sponsors.
Vodafone Derby-winning trainer Marcus Tregoning rates Jadalee’s chances as “outstanding”.
After finishing second to Sixties Icon on his penultimate start, Martin Dwyer’s mount showed up well against some useful older horses when winning the March Stakes over the Leger trip at Goodwood last month.
“Everything should be all right for him, I’m not too worried about the ground,” said Tregoning.
“It’s whether he’s good enough or not, we’ll have to see.
“But he’s been working great at home and he must have an outstanding chance.”
Seamus Heffernan believes Tusculum has the ability to expose any chinks in Sixties Icon’s armour.
Heffernan takes the ride aboard Aidan O’Brien’s lightly-colt, who looked a decent prospect when winning at the Curragh last time out.
“I rode him last time and was impressed with him,” said Heffernan, who has never ridden in the St Leger.
“I think he’ll get the trip well and could be coming to himself at exactly the right time.
“Being by Sadler’s Wells, the horse likes a bit of cut in the ground, which should help his chances.
“It’s quite open and if the favourite (Sixties Icon) does not perform, I’d fancy my chances.”
The Ballydoyle handler is responsible for a third of the 12-runner field as Puerto Rico, Mountain and Fire And Rain also take their chance.
The latter made a pleasing seasonal reappearance in the Great Voltigeur over a mile and a half when he finished sixth on the Knavesmire – his first run since September 2005.
