Frankie Dettori notched up his sixth William Hill St Leger success with victory on hot favourite Logician in Saturday’s Group 1 contest at Doncaster.
John Gosden’s colt came into the race looking to defend his unbeaten record and the dashing grey was backed off the boards and sent off the 5-6 favourite for the Classic which forms part of the British Champions Series.
Dettori was happy to settle Logician near the rear as Western Australia made the early pace. The rest of the eight-strong field were happy to let the Aidan O’Brien challenger make his own pace and waited until they turned into the home straight before making their moves.
Il Paradiso hit the front and began to look threatening but all eyes were on Dettori and Logician and Donnacha O’Brien and Sir Dragonet who were travelling sweetly in behind.
When Frankie pushed the button Logician picked up smartly and quickly put the race to bed with Sir Dragonet nowhere to be seen.
The Mark Johnston pair of Sir Ron Priestley (7-1) and Nayef Road (40-1) stayed on best to come home second and third respectively.
A delighted Gosden said: “I think a mile and a half will be right up his alley but this is a Classic, it’s the St Leger and Prince Khalid was keen to come to it as they breed these lovely horses and they want to win the Classics for Frankel.
“The way he quickened up and went by them just with hands and heels and a one flick. He’s a gorgeous horse and he’s done nothing but improve through the year. He’s a horse who will probably revert to a mile and a half.
“It’s amazing what he’s done. He was held back for quite a long time and then when he came back to us we built him into his spring work and we didn’t want to rush him but he’s done nothing but please us.
“He’s come on a long journey to win the Leger in a track record time and we’ll put him away now.”
Dettori added: “They went fast and they tested my stamina. The ground has dried up a lot and he probably wants a bit of give that’s why he has a tendency to go right but I knew from two furlongs out I had it won.”
William Hill spokesperson Rupert Adams reported the bookies were licking their wounds and said: “The Frankie factor has done us again - thankfully Sir Dragonet was well backed on the day or it would have been a lot worse.”
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