3 minute read
Giavellotto could be set for a trip ‘down under’ following his fine third-place finish in the Lonsdale Cup at York last month.
The Marco Botti-trained Yorkshire Cup champion finished an excellent third behind Coltrane and Courage Mon Ami in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York, with the talented four-year-old only fading out of contention late on.
It was Coltrane who got back to winning ways by reversing Ascot Gold Cup form with Courage Mon Ami that day, but Botti was keen to express his happiness with Giavellotto, who certainly lost little in defeat on the Knavesmire.
He said: "It was a good run, and he was beaten by two proper stayers who finished first and second in the Gold Cup. They are the best stayers around and maybe they just outstayed him.
"I always thought one-mile-six would be Giavellotto's optimum trip. He gets the two miles but when he runs against the proper stayers, maybe the final furlong gets a bit hard work.
"It was no disgrace to finish third behind two proper stayers and he is a horse who has been consistent and tries his best all the time. For sure he handles York quite well."
With soft ground likely for both the Comer Group International Irish St Leger and the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day, Botti is hoping that owner Francesca Franchini of Scuderia La Tesa Limited will be keen on the idea of travelling to Australia for the 'race that stops a nation' at Flemington in November.
The Newmarket-based handler added: He's a horse who wouldn't want the ground too soft. He is in the Irish St Leger, but we thought by then you don't know what the ground will be,"
"We are still discussing about the Melbourne Cup and I'm pretty sure we will enter him and then finalise the plans. Otherwise, in England, it will just be Champions Day as the only goal left for him."
"I would be in favour [of going for the Melbourne Cup]. The fact he went to Dubai and is a horse who travels well, and I also think the track will suit him – it is similar to York, a left-handed track.
"I think he will get in. He won a Group Two so he should make the cut for the Melbourne Cup, but then it is up to the owners as it is quite an expensive trip to take on and as we know the rules are quite strict before the race. The vetting can be tricky, but he is a sound horse.
"If we take that route, hopefully, all goes to plan, and I would be in favour if the owner wanted to go."
Bet 365 currently make Giavellotto a 33/1 chance to land the Flemington feature on November 7th.