Dettori secures comeback winner at twelfth attempt
The Italian-born rider made his comeback at Epsom last Friday, but had been out of fortune in 11 previous rides in England and in France.
That unwanted statistic was finally stricken from the record when Asian Trader pounced in the Lammas Lane Handicap over five furlongs.
William Haggas’ four-year-old was supplementing a success at Bath in April and was given a patient ride.
The 5-2 favourite missed the break, but his jockey did not panic on the far rail as Asian Trader travelled like the best horse in the race.
Once the gaps opened inside the final furlong, Haggas’ inmate pulled half a length clear of Alnoomaas.
Dettori then treated racegoers to his customary flying dismount in the winner’s enclosure.
The jockey had been due to make his comeback at Leicester two and a half weeks ago, but France Galop, the authority who banned him following his positive test for cocaine last September, were not prepared to clear the rider until a “private matter” had been resolved.
France Galop finally issued the all-clear last Thursday but the news came too late for Dettori to fulfil his main aim of having a ride in the Investec Derby.
In the following event Dettori nearly made it a quick-fire double when Roger Teal’s Tigers Tale went down narrowly to Roserrow. Dettori said: “It was good, I‘ve only been riding five days but I feel good. I‘ve done a lot of ground work and even since the first day I‘ve never felt out of place.”
