Racegoers were treated to a five-star performance from Frankie Dettori and Stradivarius as John Gosden’s stayer won the Magners Rosé Doncaster Cup Stakes.
The race, which is part of the British Champions Series, was never a target for the five-year-old but Gosden revealed his star stayer was far too fresh at home and needed to race.
Dettori was happy to drop Stradivarius back into midfield as Cleonte and Oisin Murphy took over the lead with the absence of old rival Dee Ex Bee.
Entering the home straight, Cleonte looked to have a healthy lead but Dettori always had the leader in his sights and once he asked Stradivarius for his effort, he powered into top gear to win the Group 2 contest.
Cleonte (16-1) held off the late challenge of Max Dynamite (14-1) to take second place.
Gosden said: "He just got too fresh at home, I had no intention of coming here and then suddenly he's rearing up, bouncing about and loves to shout and play and I thought we'd better go for the Doncaster Cup.
“Mr Nielsen was very good about it as it hadn't been the plan. If you wait for Champions Day and its heavy then he won't be running there. He's a gorgeous horse to train. He's had a much easier season this year than last year. He was a tired horse by the Lonsdale last year, this time he's a fresh horse still.
"Mr Nielsen's big plan is Ascot next year. He'd love to win three Gold Cups if he can.”
