Melbourne Cup Woe For Frankie

I suppose it’s the way of things at the moment that my selection Max Dynamite should come home a fast-finishing and never-nearer second behind a 100/1 chance in last night’s Melbourne Cup.

I have watched the race a few times and had Frankie Dettori not needed to switch two furlongs from home – a manoeuvre which cost him both momentum and what looked about two lengths – he would probably have won. Having said that the winner, who was upsides Max Dynamite two furlongs out, did win a shade cosily.

The stewards afterwards handed out a hefty one-month ban and AUS$20,000 fine to Frankie for careless riding. He did nudge a rival when switching for a clear run but the interference did not strike me as being ‘severe’, to quote the chief stewards Terry Bailey.

I am not sure what the implications of Dettori’s actions would have been had he won the race, but there must be a chance that the horse would have been disqualified had he passed the post first.

Having won a Group 2 over two miles and finished second in a Northumberland Plate, from an awful draw, second in a Galway Hurdle and now runner-up in a Melbourne Cup, Max Dynamite must rank as one of the most consistent dual-purpose performers in training. He is a truly admirable racehorse in every way and we will be keeping on the right side of him.