Frankie Dettori rides Palace Pier to glory at Lockinge Stakes
- Planet Sport writer
- 15 May 2021
The Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes was claimed by Palace Pier following a dominant display at Newbury.
One of last year's pre-eminent milers, the John and Thady Gosden-trained colt returned to action in style last month at Sandown, tuning up perfectly for his latest Group One assignment.
Settled towards the rear of the pack as Lord Campari took them along, jockey Frankie Dettori was assessing dangers approaching two furlongs out - and, satisfied the time was right, he let the 1-2 favourite go about his business.
The best miler in the business!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 15, 2021
Palace Pier is a fine winner of the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes đź‘Ź @NewburyRacing @FrankieDettori pic.twitter.com/3LEnog94pu
The response was electric - but runner-up Lady Bowthorpe ran the race of her life to make sure it was not just a procession.
In the end a comfortable length and a half was the winning margin, with Top Rank also emerging with plenty of credit in third, another five and a half lengths back.
Frankie Dettori celebrates winning the Lockinge on Palace Pier
John Gosden said: "He's a lovely horse, he relaxed well in the race - he got a little bit squeezed leaving the gate, Frankie said he got back further than he wanted.
"He came through very nicely, he said he had it won two out - he had to go. He got a little bit lonely looking around in front ,and I thought the filly ran a great race to be second. I'm thrilled for them.
"I think he would (get a mile and a quarter), he relaxes so well - you can put him where you want in a race, so to that extent we could do (step up), but it's pretty obvious at this stage to go to the Queen Anne (at Royal Ascot) and think about it after that, whether we want to change trip."
