Williams defends Dettori amid vicious punter backlash

Six-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams has jumped to the defence of Frankie Dettori after the champion jockey was slammed for his ride on Almandin.

The star Italian jockey's quest to ride a Melbourne Cup winner remains unfulfilled after joint favourite Almandin finished 12th in the 23-strong field at Flemington.

HALL OF SHAME: Melbourne Cup punter carnage goes global

YOU LITTLE RIPPER: Warnie cleans up with massive Melbourne Cup win

Dettori rode last year's Melbourne Cup winner after Damien Oliver was suspended for his ride in the Cox Plate on Happy Clapper.

Following his mediocre showing at Flemington on Tuesday, the Italian has now had 16 Melbourne Cup runs for zero wins in an otherwise illustrious career.

Dettori's best placing in the Melbourne Cup is second on Central Park in 1999 and Max Dynamite (2015).

Social media was lit up after the race on Tuesday with angry punters criticising Dettori's latest flop on the joint-favourite.

Williams was quick to defend the man regarded as one of the world's best jockeys, revealing that Dettori had ridden Almandin as planned.

"He rode to instructions," Williams said.

"I told him to be three-deep but Almandin unfortunately didn't get cover.

"The horse is sore this morning and when Frankie got off him, he said the horse was flat.

"He's not badly sore. Frankie gave him a test at the 600 metres and there was nothing there.

"It's too early to tell you if it is serious or not so we'll monitor him over the next 10 days."

FRANKIE DETTORI IN THE MELBOURNE CUP

2017 - Almandin (12th)

2016 - Wicklow Brace (22nd)

2015 - Max Dynamite (2nd)

2012 - Cavalryman (12th)

2010 - Holberg (6th)

2006 - Geordieland (18th)

2004 - Mamool (7th)

2003 - Mamool (last)

2002 - Pugin (18th)

2001 - Marienbad (7th)

2000 - Lightning Arrow (17th)

1999 - Central Park (2nd)

1998 - Faithful Son (7th)

1997 - Arabian Story (6th)

1995 - Bullwinkle (10th)

1993 - Drum Taps (9th)