01 June 2023 , 14:01
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Frankie Dettori thinks he is riding one of only three fillies who can win the Betfred Oaks at Epsom on Friday.
The jockey has ridden six winners of the fillies’ Classic and partners Soul Sister, the 5-2 second favourite, on his final appearance in the race.
Soul Sister, trained by John and Thady Gosden, will be Dettori’s 27th Oaks mount.
She emerged as a serious contender for Classic honours when an impressive four-length winner of the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York
Soul Sister is one of a field of 11 fillies whose other principals are her stablemate Running Lion and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Savethelastdance.
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Speaking on a Zoom call hosted by The Jockey Club, Dettori said: “I was impressed because the filly quickened nicely (at York).
“When she ran at Newbury in heavy ground before that she needed it, but she clocked a good time (at York) and I was pleasantly surprised and impressed in the same way.
“I didn’t ride in the trial at Chester but Savethelastdance won that by 22 lengths and was very impressive. She brings very good form to the table and of course I’m going to be frightened by her, but we’ll give it a go with Soul Sister.
“I hope the trip won’t be a problem - we’ve still got to run an extra furlong and a half, but all the signs are good. She settled well and she finished the race strongly, so I believe that it will not be an issue. You don’t really know until you try, but I think she will be fine.”
He added: “I may be being a bit silly, but to me there’s only three fillies who can win it - Running Lion, Savethelastdance and Soul Sister. The rest have got a big gap to breach.”
Earlier in the afternoon, Dettori partners last year’s Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn in the Group 1 DahlBury Coronation Cup, a race he has won five times.
Dettori added: “This is the first time she’s taking on colts, so we’ll see where we are at. We know she handled Epsom because she strutted her stuff in the Oaks and I’m looking forward to riding her.
“She had a bit of a blip last year after the King George, but she came back strong and I’m looking forward to it.”