Frankie Dettori timed his challenge to perfection aboard Humidor in the Listed Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster on Wednesday.
Baker stalwart gets up
Frankie Dettori timed his challenge to perfection aboard Humidor in the Listed Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster on Wednesday.
The George Baker-trained four-year-old was held up in the early stages by Dettori who switched his mount towards the far side as he made his challenge inside the final two furlongs.
The 14-1 chance gradually wore down leaders Bear Behind and Captain Dunne to land the spoils with Dinkum Diamond (5-1) and Medicean Man (11-4 favourite) staying on to finish second and third respectively.
Jamie Spencer also held up Group Therapy for a late challenge, but he could only manage fourth place.
Candida Baker, wife of George and assistant trainer, said: "The ground has come for us here and we're chuffed to bits. He's quite tricky in that he plants himself and very often doesn't want to go down to the start.
"Today he was very calm, we took him down early and it was as good as he's ever been. He's happy, improving and I think we've got the measure of him now.
"He's a good horse, Whitsbury helps when training a horse like this, and the Khans have been incredibly kind to us. They were very keen to run him today and it's worked out perfectly.
"He's loved today, this is his track and having Frankie on board helps a lot. When you have a good horse you want to put the best on top. Even when you don't have a good horse you want the best on top!"
Dettori added: "Mrs Baker told me exactly what to do, there was going to be plenty of pace and with the wind I knew the front-runners were at a disadvantage.
"This horse comes from behind and his fifth at Goodwood was good form. My plan was to try and finish in the first three but it all fell right and he was going to win from a long way out.
"The wind will play a part if you're on a horse that's keen and free, you'd be at a big disadvantage. You saw with Richard Hughes in the second if a horse relaxes in front you can do it but we could see some funny results."
Jeremy Gask did not blame Medicean Man's stumble at the start for his defeat: "The stumble at the start did not help him but I don't think it made a huge difference.
"He's better when he has less of a space between his races. I have had to get after him a bit at home to keep him fit and he's best when fresh.
"I think we will go to Newbury now for a Group Three (the Dubai International World Trophy over five furlongs on Saturday, September 17)."
