17 May 2023 , 15:36
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Frankie Dettori knew his luck was in before he headed to York on Wednesday after a bird “pooped” on him.
The Italian made the revelation after winning one of the feature races of the meeting, the Musidora Stakes, on 18-1 outsider Soul Sister.
Soul Sister, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is now 4-1 from 50-1 with Coral for the Betfred Oaks at Epsom.
“I had a good omen this morning,” Dettori told ITV Racing. “A bird pooped all over my trousers riding out.”
Soul Sister looped around the field in the straight to take the Group 3 contest by four lengths from Novakai and favourite Infinite Cosmos to deliver a seventh win in the race for the jockey.
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A winner of her only start last year, she finished last in the Fred Darliing Stakes in April, 22 lengths adrift of the winner.
“I would say the trip was too short, it was heavy ground and it was a period when John’s horses needed a run,” said Dettori.
“She did everything I wished her to, travelled, quickened twice. It was a very good performance.”
Soul Sister’s owner Lady Bamford won the Musidora in 2015 with Star Of Seville who won the French Oaks.
John Gosden said: “We liked her a lot when she won at Doncaster and then I ran her below her trip. The ground was bottomless heavy and she hated it.
“I expected a big run. I will admit I didn’t expect her to win four lengths but I thought she would definitely be in the three. We will head to Epsom with her.”