Marco Botti has decided to work back from the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot for his stable star Giavellotto. The Mastercraftsman has developed into a smart globetrotter for the yard, but is yet to run at Royal Ascot.
Giavellotto posted a career best effort when winning the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in 2024. Since then, he was an excellent fourth in the Prix d’Arc de Triomphe, before being beaten three-quarters-of-a-length back in Hong Kong.
He remained in good form when fourth to Calandagan in the Sheema Classic, and Botti is now preparing for a return to home soil.
Speaking to Sporting Life, Marco Botti said: “We will freshen him up now for the Hardwicke Stakes and go straight there. Even in defeat in his last four runs he has picked up over a million pounds in prize money. So we can’t complain.
“I said to his owners after Dubai let’s freshen him up and go to Royal Ascot. He last ran at the track as a three-year-old. It gives him a little bit more time between his races. We wouldn’t rule out taking him for a gallop or something like that.
“He always runs his best race fresh. Hong Kong was in December, then in February he went to Qatar. Then he went to Dubai in March, which is quite a lot.”
Botti still retains faith in Prince Of India
Prince Of India was a rapid improver for the yard last season, but didn’t quite step up in the Abernant. Botti wasn’t entirely concerned, suggesting there were excuses to be made for the run. He added: “Prince Of India was a bit disappointing in the Abernant as I don’t think he loves that track. He won on the July Course, but that is a different story.
“In the Abernant he stumbled, and he lost a bit of his action. He was then always on the backfoot. They then quickened into the dip and it wasn’t until he met the rising ground that he stayed on. It has been a bit disappointing that the last couple of runs haven’t gone to plan. But I think he is better than that.
Having ran well at Leicester before, a drop back into handicap company appears to be on the cards. “We are trying to regain some confidence. We might run him in a valuable handicap at Leicester on Saturday. That is a stiff six there so we haven’t ruled that out. Hopefully we can get him back to where he was last year. He looked like a horse that this year could be his best year.”