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"I still plan to attend" - Whip ban rules Dettori out of Melbourne Cup

jon-vine
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Last updated: 25 Oct 2023
jon-vine
Jon Vine 25 Oct 2023
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  • Key quotes from Frankie Dettori ahead of the Melbourne Cup carnival
  • Dettori had been aiming to win the Melbourne Cup on his final trip to Australia
  • Frankie will now miss the meeting after picking up a whip ban on Champions Day
frankie dettori
Italian jockey Frankie Dettori gives an interview after winning his final race on King of Steel in the Champion Stakes on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot. (Getty)

Frankie Dettori will not be able to ride during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, after picking up a whip ban on British Champions Day.

Dettori rode in a British race meeting for the final time on Saturday, as British Champions Day took place at Ascot. Frankie kicked off the day by winning the Long Distance Cup aboard Trawlerman, before signing off in typically blockbuster fashion by guiding King Of Steel to victory in the Champion Stakes.

The next leg of Dettori's farewell tour was supposed to take place at Flemington, where Frankie hoped to pick up a winning ride in the Melbourne Cup. "The race that stops a nation" is one of the few major global races missing off Dettori's resume and it looked like the legendary Italian would resume his Ebor-winning partnership with Willie Mullins' Absurde.

However, news broke on Tuesday that Dettori had breached whip rules at Ascot on Saturday. Frankie issues one strike too many on Trawlerman and on Kinross in the Champions Sprint, meaning he picked up a suspension that would rule him out of riding at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

"Regretfully at British Champions Day I went one stroke over in the opening and subsequent race." Dettori's statement read.

"Following the whip review committee meeting early this week, my 16-day suspension will take effect from Tuesday, November 7, meaning I am unable to ride at the Melbourne Cup carnival.

"With flights booked, I still plan to attend Australia's premier meeting to support the event."

Willie Mullins' Vauban remains the favourite for the 2023 Melbourne Cup, with defending champion Gold Trip and Dettori's most likely ride, Absurde also sitting prominently in the market. The full betting for the 2023 Melbourne Cup can be found here on our website.

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