Frankie Dettori can hit mark with Redkirk Warrior in Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot

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Michael Cooper22 June 2018

Frankie Dettori has had a fabulous Royal Ascot and he can cap it by guiding Australian challenger Redkirk Warrior to victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes tomorrow.

Dettori rode a treble on Tuesday and yesterday won the Gold Cup on Stradivarius. He suffered a surprise defeat aboard Cracksman on Wednesday but is not finished yet because he has a full book of rides today before three more tomorrow.

Redkirk Warrior’s team booked Dettori in March and they can prove a dynamic pairing in the £600,000 sprint, which has also drawn challengers from Ireland, France and America.

Redkirk Warrior began his career in Britain, with one of his early wins being achieved over a mile and a quarter at Ascot, before he was transferred to Hong Kong, where he began brightly enough only to develop foot problems and be all but retired. Two years later, he resurfaced in Australia and he has since been reinvented as a sprinter. This year, he has looked better than ever and landed two Group One prizes — on the second occasion having Merchant Navy back in third despite having to concede 12lb.

He would be the third Australian-trained sprinter to win the race, after Choisir (2003) and Black Caviar (2012).

The home defence is led by Harry Angel but, for all his quality, he struggles at Ascot, having had four defeats at the track.

Queen Of Bermuda can land the Windsor Castle Stakes, while Natalie’s Joy, Crystal Ocean, Dreamfield and Thomas Hobson look rock-solid favourites in the other supporting races.

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