Royal Ascot report: Frankie Dettori completes set of Royal Ascot Group Ones in Coronation Stakes aboard Alpine Star
Frankie Dettori captured the only Royal Ascot Group One to have previously eluded him as Alpine Star won the Coronation Stakes.
Jessica Harrington's filly hadn't been seen since winning in Ireland last autumn, but there was no problem with her fitness nor her fortitude as she answered Dettori's every call to stretch four lengths clear of her rivals.
It was another textbook ride from the Italian, who stuck to the rail, snuck through on the inside and mastered both Cloak Of Spirits and Quadrilateral, who showed plenty of speed but in the end was pipped for second by American raider Sharing (16/5).
Alpine Star (9/2) was slashed for the Oaks after relishing this step up to a mile, and could head to Epsom to take on the likes of Love and Frankly Darling on the back of her convincing victory.
"I've conquered Royal Ascot!" said a jubilant Dettori, who needs only the July Cup to have won every Group One in the UK.
"For some reason or another I never managed to get on the right horse. I was very excited about the ride; I had a good draw, a good split; the filly was beautifully prepared by Jessica. I'm thrilled.
"I really fancied the filly, but I didn't want to jinx it. I kept quiet. Jessie approached me about 10 days ago when she knew their jockey couldn't fly here.
"I'm delighted for the Niarchos family. Maria (Niarchos) has supported me in the past. I think it was my first ride for Jessica.
"Shane Foley (regular rider) rang me this morning. It has been a team effort."
It's been a famous week for Dettori, who was riding his fifth winner. He added: "Today was a big tick of my boxes, in my career. It's a long five days, but it goes like a flash. I hope the people at home have been enjoying it."
As for an Oaks tilt for Alpine Star, Dettori wasn't sure, saying: "She'll definitely get a mile and a quarter. A mile and a half? I don't know. At the moment, a mile and a quarter would be her best distance.
"She won in good style - she's up there with the best fillies around at the moment."
🙌 Frankie Dettori knows how to whip up an empty crowd!pic.twitter.com/kJi0PlbdmD
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) June 20, 2020
Harrington was spending the day at a pony race event in Ireland, but found time to tune in and see Alpine Star follow in the footsteps of her half-sister, Alpha Centauri, who won the same race two years ago.
"Of course I watched it! You probably could've heard us in Ascot," said Harrington, speaking with ITV Racing.
"I have no idea (where she'll go next). We'll see where we go. I'm absolutely delighted with what she did today. Her attitude was amazing, and Frankie did a fantastic job.
"Alpine Star is not a very large filly, but she has a very, very big heart."
Reaction from bookmakers was fairly consistent, with Alpine Star cut from 33/1 to between 6/1 and 10/1 for the Investec Oaks.
Sky Bet's Michael Shinners said: "It would be a big ask to go and win what looks a strong Oaks after winning here over a mile, but it was a big ask to win this after so long off the track and we don't want to underestimate her.
"Frankie still looks to have a more likely contender with Frankly Darling, a popular winner earlier in the week. But the fact neither of these can trouble Love at the front of the market shows how good a renewal it could be."
👑🙌 "I've conquered Royal Ascot!" pic.twitter.com/5LgUHzMu58
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) June 20, 2020
Oisin Murphy said of the Graham Motion-trained Sharing: "It was a good run. I was very happy with the way the race went, but she is a champion on really fast turf and she didn't get her conditions.
"Everyone should be very proud and hopefully that will encourage Graham to send more horses next year. She was the best juvenile turf filly in America last year and she is a huge physical filly."
Harry Charlton, assistant to his father, Roger, said of third home Quadrilateral: "She travelled the best, then got to the front and rolled about a bit. Not many horses have been running well off the back of runs this year.
"She travelled good and looked like she would win it nicely, but didn't go through with it in the end for whatever reason. She is a very sound horse, but something might come up. It wasn't to be today."
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