By Tom Frary
Connections of 14-1 shot Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) had benefitted from the intervention of the stewards when promoted to third in the G1 St Leger in September, but they faced an anxious wait themselves before being allowed to keep Friday's G2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup. Causing notable interference to the tiring Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) as he assumed command late on under Andrea Atzeni, Scuderia La Tesa's Marco Botti-trained homebred had half a length to spare over the penalised Leger hero Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) at the line, with Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) a further length away in third.
Despite his late indiscretion, there was no doubting that Giavellotto was best on the day even though those immediately behind may have their day at a later stage. Travelling sweetly for Atzeni in the middle of the line of five initially detached from Quickthorn, the bay cruised into contention and subdued Broome and Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})–who he had trailed when ninth in the Mar. 25 G2 Dubai Gold Cup–before moving to the long-time leader two out. He already had the upper hand over Quickthorn before diving left away from the whip inside the last 100 yards, causing that G2 Lonsdale Cup winner to be chopped between him and Broome, and the line undeniably came in time as Eldar Eldarov finished with a flourish.
“Andrea said he was just idling a little bit once he hit the front,” Botti said. “We've always thought he was a very good stayer and he's still very lightly-raced. I put a line through the race in Dubai, he was drawn in stall 15 and it just didn't go to plan but we were confident he would run a good race.”
Roger Varian can plan ahead to the G1 Gold Cup with confidence now, after TDN Rising Star Eldar Eldarov overcame most of those with a fitness edge, looking a genuine marathon runner in the process and emerging best on the raw data. “He's run like he's the best horse in the race,” his trainer commented. “He's given the winner five pounds and he's given Broome two pounds, so it was a really good run with a view to the Gold Cup.”
“We put a line through his run at Ascot in October, which was his first try beyond this trip, but it was heavy ground that day, which he won't run on again,” Varian added. “Every time he's run over this trip he has looked like he is only getting going at the line and that is why we think the Gold Cup will suit him, so we'll look forward to that. He goes on anything really, he won't run on heavy ground again, but apart from that he's pretty versatile.”
Quickthorn's trainer Hughie Morrison was not impressed by the stewards' decision. “The interference definitely cost us third, but it's a funny rule we have. It leaves a bit of a sour taste because it costs you £30,000. He's run well, though. The jockey said he jumped good, he felt well and he's a damn good horse. I just think maybe two miles around here suits him better, because then there are two bends. He's run up to his best, probably, other than the freak race he won over two miles here last year.”
Pedigree Notes
The dam Gerika (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), whose 2-year-old colt Calumet (Ire) is by 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 real stamina clue, the G3 St Leger Italiano hero Green Senor (El Gran Senor).
Friday, York, Britain
BOODLES YORKSHIRE CUP-G2, £180,000, York, 5-19, 4yo/up, 13f 188yT, 2:56.79, g/f.
1–GIAVELLOTTO (IRE), 129, c, 4, 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)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Scuderia la Tesa Limited; B-Societa Agricola La Tesa Srl (IRE); T-Marco Botti; J-Andrea Atzeni. £102,078. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 10-4-2-2, $316,024. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Eldar Eldarov (GB), 134, c, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–All At Sea (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire). (£110,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR; £480,000 2yo '21 ARQDEA). O-KHK Racing; B-Miss K Rausing (GB); T-Roger Varian. £38,700.
3–Broome (Ire), 132, h, 7, Australia (GB)–Sweepstake (Ire), by Acclamation (GB). (€120,000 RNA Ylg '17 GOFOR; 150,000gns Ylg '17 TATDEY). O-M Matsushima/Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £19,368.
Margins: HF, 1, 1HF. Odds: 14.00, 6.00, 2.25.
Also Ran: Quickthorn (GB), Siskany (GB), Get Shirty (Ire). Scratched: Tashkhan (Ire).
Giavellotto is first past the post in the Boodles Yorkshire Cup!
The four-year-old produces a career-best on his first domestic start of the year for @MarcoBotti and @Atzenijockey – but we have a stewards' enquiry at @yorkracecourse… pic.twitter.com/lW9BcM1Fir
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 19, 2023
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