By Tom Frary
Friday's G2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup was all about Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), as last year's winner returned in rude health to dominate for the repeat on York's Knavesmire. Readily reversing the form of his latest fifth to Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, the Marco Botti-trained 5-year-old who started at 7-2 cruised to Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) two out and bounded into the clear for a 4 3/4-length success under Oisin Murphy. Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) was a further 3/4 of a length behind Vauban in third as the 7-4 favourite Tower Of London disappointed in fifth.
With a promoted third in the G1 St Leger as a 3-year-old to add to his win in an up-to-scratch renewal of this race 12 months ago, clearly a mile and three quarters on a flat track is Giavellotto's bag. Beaten in all four starts over further including third placings in the G2 Lonsdale Cup here last August and in
Riyadh's G3 Red Sea Turf H. in February, it is no surprise to learn that Botti is not considering Royal Ascot's G1 Gold Cup. “We've tried several times over two miles and while I'm not saying he doesn't stay, because he has run well a few times, it does stretch him. The Gold Cup trip is too far for him,” he explained.
“He loves the track–he always shows his best form at York,” his trainer added. “The race went to plan, he got into a nice rhythm and while he got to the front a little sooner than we wanted, he galloped all the way to the line. I was a bit shocked he was in front so early, he made them look slow today. The Irish St Leger I know is in September and the ground could be softer, but it was a race we considered last year and we didn't go but I would say that could be his target.”
Botti is also considering a drop in trip for the winner. “We have been thinking of running him over a mile and a half eventually, we wouldn't rule it out. Between a mile and a half and two miles, I think I'd rather run him over shorter than further. He's definitely got stronger.”
Vauban, who was having his first start since a disappointing effort in the G1 Melbourne Cup, is Gold Cup-bound. “I was delighted, they'll be very happy with that,” jockey William Buick said. “He's going to get further and he felt he was going to improve for that, so there are plenty of positives to take from it.”
Royal Ascot is also on the agenda for last year's G2 Queen's Vase winner Gregory according to John Gosden. “I really liked the way he got his second wind and stayed on again,” he said. “The plan is to go straight to the Gold Cup. He'll enjoy the distance.”
Pedigree Notes
Giavellotto's dam Gerika (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), who also has the stable's twice-placed 3-year-old colt Calumet (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), hails from a family of Italian black-type performers with her three half-siblings Donoma (Ire) (Beat Hollow {GB}), Cromo (GB) (Grand Lodge) and Right Connection (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}) all successful at listed level in the country. Under the third dam is the G3 St Leger Italiano hero Green Senor (El Gran Senor).
He's done it again! 😱
Giavellotto (7-2) brilliantly wins back-to-back renewals of the @Boodles Yorkshire Cup @yorkracecourse 🏆@MarcoBotti | @oismurphy pic.twitter.com/GO3msaGjmh
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 17, 2024
Friday, York, Britain
BOODLES YORKSHIRE CUP-G2, £180,000, York, 5-17, 4yo/up, 13f 188yT, 2:55.96, gd.
1–GIAVELLOTTO (IRE), 129, h, 5, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Gerika (Fr), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Green Tern (Ity), by Miswaki Tern
3rd Dam: Green Leaves (Ire), by Rheingold (GB)
O-Scuderia La Tesa Limited & Vaibhav Shah; B-Societa Agricola La Tesa SRL (IRE); T-Marco Botti; J-Oisin Murphy. £102,078. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng & GSP-Sau, 15-5-2-4, $776,519. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Vauban (Fr), 129, g, 6, Galiway (GB)–Waldfest (GB), by Hurricane Run (Ire). O-Mrs S Ricci; B-Philippe Decouz & SCEA du Bas Bugey (FR); T-Willie Mullins. £38,700.
3–Gregory (GB), 129, c, 4, Golden Horn (GB)–Gretchen (GB), by Galileo (Ire). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Normandie Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £19,368.
Margins: 4 3/4, 3/4, 4. Odds: 3.50, 3.50, 5.00.
Also Ran: Al Qareem (Ire), Tower Of London (Ire), Naqeeb (Ire). Scratched: Hamish (GB).
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