Jockey Frankie Dettori believes Wicklow Brave is the horse to break his Melbourne Cup hoodoo

FLAMBOYANT jockey Frankie Dettori believes his Melbourne Cup hoodoo is about to be broken.

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FLAMBOYANT Frankie Dettori believes his Melbourne Cup curse is about to be broken.

And a flood of big bets suggests he is right, with Irish raider Wicklow Brave backed for a fortune at Monday’s Call Of The Card at Melbourne’s Crown Casino.

Wicklow Brave firmed from $17 into $15 after being backed with monster bets to win $300,000 and $250,000.

This will be the brash Italian riding star’s 15th attempt at winning the world’s richest handicap.

Only Darren Gauci (18 unsuccessful rides) has a longer losing record in the Cup.

Dettori’s task has been made tougher from the despised outside barrier 24 but he believes his luck could be about to turn.

Frankie Dettori celebrates riding his 3000th winner earlier this year. Picture: Getty Images

Dettori knocked down half the Cup field last year and was suspended for a month and fined $20,000 for his controversial ride on Cup runner-up Max Dynamite.

He insists Wicklow Brave has similar ability to Max Dynamite, who many felt should have won last year.

“I think they are about on par,” Dettori says.

“I have only ridden Wicklow Brave once (winning the Irish St Leger) and he gave me a really good feel.

“The plus factor is you know he runs two miles.

“Let’s hope this year is my lucky year. It is a massive race and I would love to win it.”

Wicklow Brave got a stack of support at The Call Of The Card, with Tom Waterhouse backing the stayer to win $250,000 (at $17) with Crownbet’s Matt Tripp.

Punter Adam Sparrow also backed Wicklow Brave to win $300,000 at $16.

Wicklow Brave was well-backed at Monday’s call of the card. Picture: AAP

Dettori is hoping the big bets are on the money. The 45-year-old wears designer suits and drives expensive cars but you get the feeling he won’t be satisfied until he wins the Melbourne Cup.

“I have never won it so I am going to carry on trying until I win it,” he says.

Dettori is used to living his life in the limelight, even appearing on UK reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother during a six-month riding suspension for using drugs in 2012.

He hopes he is in the limelight again today, with the Melbourne Cup finally set to see his trademark star jump.

And it is no surprise the Willie Mullins-trained Wicklow Brave, who switched from jumps to flat racing last year, has received big betting support in the Cup.

Even Irish rival trainer Tony Martin (Heartbreak City) is singing the praises of Wicklow Brave.

“I saw him here the other morning ... he looks absolutely wonderful,” Martin said.

“Everything Willie runs in a big race you just have to respect, and he’s coming here with the right credentials.”

Originally published as Jockey Frankie Dettori believes Wicklow Brave is the horse to break his Melbourne Cup hoodoo