Marco Botti is hoping a decision to sidestep the Gold Cup at Ascot with Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) pays dividends when his stable star lines out in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup in August.
Promoted to third in the St Leger behind Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) last season, Giavellotto accounted for that rival in the Yorkshire Cup last month.
However, Botti decided against running Giavellotto at Ascot due to the trip, and revealed that Goodwood has always been Plan A for the progressive stayer.
“Giavellotto is very well and the plan was always to go straight for the Goodwood Cup,” Botti said. “The horse won well at York and then we were keen to give him more time rather than stepping up to the Gold Cup, as we think two miles is his best trip.
“He has matured a lot mentally from three to four and we expected him to improve this season, as most stayers do with age. He used to wear a hood and get quite warm before his races but that was not the case in the Yorkshire Cup.”
Botti added, “We were disappointed on his first run back in the Dubai Gold Cup but he was drawn wide and the race did not pan out for him, so it was nice to see him show what we thought he was capable of at York.
“You never know until you run at Goodwood whether they will handle the track, but he seems a well-balanced horse and the long straight will be in his favour.”
Giavellotto is one of 26 entries for the Goodwood race, which include the Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
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