Regular jockey Fallon to miss the ride on top British filly
Frankie Dettori should give the Hong Kong Jockey Club a promoter's dream for the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth Cup on April 23 following news that he's almost certain to be engaged for champion British filly Ouija Board.
Kieren Fallon, who won the Hong Kong Vase on Ouija Board in December, will be required in his capacity as first jockey for Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stables in Ireland that day, and Dettori (pictured) is a short-priced favourite to take over from him.
In the unlikely event that Dettori does not take the mount, Jamie Spencer is understood to be the next jockey in line.
As the winner of a Hong Kong International Race in December, the Ed Dunlop-trained Ouija Board will be shooting for a $1 million bonus on top of the advertised stake, where the winner gets 57 per cent of $14 million.
Dettori is the retained jockey for the globetrotting Godolphin organisation, and their racing manager Simon Crisford has confirmed the Italian jockey's availability.