Poet's Voice stars in fantastic four for Dettori
Report: Ascot, Saturday
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by Sony) (Group 1) 3yo+, 1m
FRANKIE DETTORI enjoyed another memorable afternoon at Ascot on the 14th anniversary of his magnificent seven winners at the track when he completed a fabulous four-timer at the course.
Early victories on the classy White Moonstone in the Fillies' Mile and Redford in the Totesport.com Challenge Cup meant Dettori entered the Sony-backed Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on a huge crest of confidence, which only increased as he drove Poet's Voice to victory by a nose from Rip Van Winkle.
However, 14 years after going through the card at Ascot, Dettori evoked the memories of old and completed the near 217-1 four-timer with victory on the well-backed favourite Rainfall for Mark Johnston in the Listed Miles & Morrison October Stakes.
Speaking after the last, when he had finished a narrow third on his quest for a five-timer with Aaim To Prosper, Dettori said: "It's been a supersonic day, fantastic. It's been an unbelievable day. Ialways ask myself if I can do it again but to ride four winners is tremendous, especially the big ones.
"This course is an amazing place, the crowd gets behind me here and when I go out to race it just happens. This meeting is very special to me. I rode my first Group 1 winner here, my second Group 1 winner here, had my 'magnificent seven' and I think Poet's Voice is my fifth QEII."
On an afternoon of landmarks, Dettori passed 100 winners for the season, his four-timer taking him to 103, the same tally he recorded last season.
Winner of the Totesport.com Celebration Mile, Poet's Voice had been backed into 9-2 from 7-1 as punters latched on to the jockey's winning streak and he settled the colt at the back of the field with Ballydoyle pacemaker Air Chief Marshal being rushed into the lead by Jamie Spencer.
Johnny Murtagh was second onRip Van Winkle, while Christophe Soumillon was content to sit off the pace on favourite Makfi.
Turning in Air Chief Marshal continued to lead, but conceded his advantage to stablemate and last year's winner Rip Van Winkle, with the outsider Red Jazz giving chase.
To Red Jazz's credit, the 40-1 shot refused to crumble, harrying Rip Van Winkle, as favourite Makfi again disappointed at Ascot, well beaten with over a furlong left.
But on the outsideDettori had stoked up Poet's Voice and they began to make considerable headway into Rip Van Winkle's lead, and even though the pair flashed past the post together, Dettori was quick to celebrate to the camera. The tannoy quickly confirmed his victory, tothe delight of punters.
Describing how the race unfolded Dettori added: "I had a bad draw and I had to bite the bullet and drop him out last to get himto switch off. I had to go a bit wide to challenge and when I looked up Johnny had five lengths on me. They were treading water at the furlong marker, but I had to use my turn of foot to get there.
"It was a fight to the end, but I knew my horse had his head down. I knew for sure that the other horse hadn't passed me back, so I was pretty confident. Seeing the photo, I wasn't!"
Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: "I told the boys in Newmarket today that we would have three winners today. They looked at me, but I told them that we would win two Group 1's and a Listed race.
"This horse came back really good after Goodwood. I told Frankie before the race that the key to winning was to drop him in behind and show him that you are the boss. I told him to get him relaxed as the horse has a brilliant turn of foot.
"From day one I have always liked this horse. I was disappointed with him earlier in the year but he was too keen. In the mornings I have tried to teach him. Physically he is now much better and mentally he is more relaxed. The target for him now is the Breeders' Cup Mile.
"This is a great race and it is great for me and Godolphin to win. It's brilliant."
Murtagh knew he had narrowly failed to retain last year's QEII victory on Rip Van Winkle, saying: "He's done everything he could, but I knew we were beaten."
Barry Hills was delighted with the effort of Red Jazz, saying: "He's probably run the race of his life. We rode him differently today and he probably wants the mile now.
"He won't be travelling abroad this season but he stays in training and something like the Hong Kong Mile could be on the agenda next season."
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Yes, that was some day and it doesn't matter how many times I watch those races I will never know how he kept the last one going, especially. 
