Frankie Dettori signed off from Britain with a Listed-race win on Compton Bolter as he made a surprise visit to Lingfield today.
The Italian, who flies to Tokyo for the Japan Cup next week and then faces a stint in Hong Kong, is a rare sight on the all-weather tracks nowadays and was only booked for the Churchill Stakes by trainer Gerard Butler on Friday morning.
But Dettori was always in the right place on the much-travelled Compton Bolter, sent the 8-13 favourite to the front turning for home and had five lengths to spare over Crimson Tide at the line.
The winner, fifth in the 2000 Guineas back in May, was having his 10th run of a busy season.
'This guy is a blue-collar worker, he`s a fantastic character,' Butler said of the three-year-old, who was recording only his second career win in the £30,000 Listed race.
'He`s been in full training since September of last year and he`s been to Dubai twice, run in the Guineas, Royal Ascot, Arlington and the Champion Stakes.'
'Full credit to Gerry,' added Dettori. 'It was a good performance today.'
Dettori is eyeing a much-bigger payday next Sunday when he bids for the Japan Cup on Godolphin`s Fantastic Light, who was an unlucky-in-running fifth in the Breeders` Cup Turf at Churchill Downs last time out.
'He was stuck on the inside a little bit and we couldn`t get out,' the rider admitted. 'This will suit him a lot better than the Breeders` Cup as there will be a faster pace and a longer straight and that`s what he needs.
'Hopefully we`ve saved a little bit for Japan but every Breeders` Cup race is tough and I hope he`s not just gone over the top.'
