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Fantastic Frankie takes right Steps

Frankie Dettori continued his sensational week in the saddle by teaming up with fellow Italian Marco Botti to guide Golden Steps to victory in the Qatar Stewards' Sprint Stakes at Goodwood.

Italian trainer Marco Botti
Italian trainer Marco Botti Picture: Racing and Sports

Having just missed the cut for the Stewards' Cup, the 10-1 shot gained compensation with a ready win in the six-furlong handicap.

Settled in just behind the early pace which was cut out by Shore Step, the four-year-old gelding burst through with a well-timed run to collar Go Far inside the final furlong.

Although Barnet Fair, in the hands of the soon-to-retire Richard Hughes, came with a late flourish on the far side rail in a bid to repeat his victory of 12 months ago, it was not enough, with Golden Steps having a length and a half to spare, giving Dettori his fifth winner of the meeting. He rode his sixth when Magical Memory won the Stewards' Cup itself.

Botti said: "I am delighted. He won well and Frankie gave the horse a great ride. He travelled well and just held on to him and waited for the split.

"He came through very impressively and we knew there was a good race in him. We always thought he was a well-handicapped horse who is progressive.

"He handled the track well. I think the race panned out well as they went a fast pace and that is what he wants.

"Frankie is an amazing jockey and he has done so well this week. It is great he has ridden a winner for me.

"We might step him up for a Listed race, but we will see what the handicapper does. With these kind of horses, though, there is more prize-money in these type of races."

Dettori said: "Everything went perfectly, I had a good pace in front of me - you have to produce him late and it went to plan.

"He was full of confidence today and he won well."

Folkswood (9-2) defied his uneasy position in the market to get off the mark in good style in the Qatar EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes.

The once-raced Charlie Appleby-trained colt was not too long in joining early leader Bernie's Boy at the head of affairs and the outcome was never in much doubt, assuming they had not gone too quick in front, with William Buick's mount asserting from a furlong out.

Bernie's Boy stuck to his guns for second, a length and a half in arrears, but the writing was on the wall for backers of Hughes and joint-favourite Hairdryer with a quarter-mile to run.


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