Racing: Flores takes over from Dettori on Sulamani

It may fall to David Flores, not Frankie Dettori, to make history for Godolphin. The top American jockey has been booked to ride Sulamani in the Arlington Million in Chicago tomorrow week as Sheikh Mohammed's Dubai-based élite searches for its elusive 100th Group One or Grade One winner worldwide. Dettori will remain in Europe to partner Dubai Destination in France's top-level feature, the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, the following afternoon.

Sulamani, last seen when runner-up to Alamshar with the Italian in the saddle in King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last month, will leave for Illinois and the 10-furlong contest this weekend. Yesterday Dettori spoke of the physical vicissitudes that have beset the four-year-old, runner-up in last year's Arc and scintillating winner of the Sheema Classic at Nad El Sheba in the spring, since his return to Europe.

"He's had a zillion problems," he said. "and it's very hard to get him 100 per cent. When I'd ride him in the morning and they'd ask where he doesn't feel right, I'd say everywhere.

"But he has that electrifying turn of foot, which may be as much of a weapon over the shorter distance as a mile and a half. Yes, he disappointed on his first run back in Europe but it was good to see him build on what he did in France at Ascot. I know he was hanging in behind horses in the straight, but he was tired; he'd made his effort and was looking for help. He's getting better and is just starting to reach his peak."

California-based Flores has ridden three feature winners for Godolphin in the past: Tempera in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies; Express Tour in the UAE Derby and Festival of Light in the Godolphin Mile, the last two both at Nad Al Sheba. "It will be good for him to get to know the horse," added Dettori, "as I expect he will be racing in America again. But at Arlington the odds will be stacked against him, with the drop back in distance, a tight track and a short straight. Everything will have to slot in right for him."

Dettori reported Dubai Destination in fine fettle for the Jacques le Marois, the showpiece of the Deauville season. "He is never a flashy worker at home but he, too, is starting to peak and I'd give him a serious chance of being the one to carry the Godolphin flag.

"It has been a tremendous achievement by the team to get him back racing after his injury, but then you have to have had faith in a horse who was good enough to beat Rock of Gibraltar at two. The stiff mile at Deauville will suit him very well; he'll have no trouble with 10 furlongs later on."

Perhaps ironically, Godolphin's decision to rely on local talent with Sulamani was revealed on a day when some of the world's best jockeys gathered at Ascot ahead of tomorrow's Shergar Cup, the annual novelty team tournament between riders representing the Rest of the World and Great Britain & Ireland. Dettori is captain of the RoW team, the members of which include top-class Hong Kong-based New Zealander Shane Dye, on his first visit to Britain. "Given time a good rider can make it anywhere in the world," said Dye, "but just dropping in for one day is difficult. Local knowledge is invaluable."

Tomorrow's bookmaker sponsors Blue Square make the GB&I team, captained by Pat Eddery, the 1-3 favourites to win the six-race event. At the draw for horses the home side's manager, Jason Weaver, (his RoW counterpart is Michael Roberts) won the toss to choose which races in which he could select first, and was rewarded by getting two of the day's perceived bankers, Mana D'Argent in the Stayers and Somnus in the Sprint, on side.

RICHARD EDMONDSON

Nap: Dorchester

(Newmarket 6.50)

NB: Celtic Mill

(Newmarket 8.10)