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| Staff Writer |
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Marco Botti is mulling over the possibility of sending Giavellotto to compete in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Vase, leaving the door open for an exciting international campaign for his stable star.
Once considered primarily a stayer, Giavellotto has proven his versatility this season by excelling over shorter distances. The 5YO showcased his ability to compete at the highest level over 12 furlongs when following up his victory in the Gr.2 Yorkshire Cup with a triumphant performance in the Gr.2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket in July.
Giavellotto's 2023 campaign had been centred around the Gr.1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh. However, the race did not unfold as planned, with subsequent Irish Cesarewitch winner The Euphrates setting a strong pace. Unable to make a significant impact, Giavellotto finished third behind the dominant Kyprios.
Initially, Marco Botti had considered concluding Giavellotto's season after his Irish Champions Festival appearance. However, the Newmarket-based Italian trainer is now contemplating a potential trip to the Far East in December.
"We're discussing things with the owners, he has one more option which is the Hong Kong Vase over a mile and a half," Botti revealed. "The race isn't until December so we thought let's just freshen him up and give it a bit more thought."
The trainer acknowledged that the decision to pursue the Hong Kong Vase would have implications for Giavellotto's 2024 campaign. "It all depends what the owners want to do next year because if they want to go to Dubai, he'll be finishing the season too late if he goes to Hong Kong because he'll need a break, but if they decide not to go to Dubai then potentially he could go to Hong Kong," Botti explained.
Botti offered his thoughts on Giavellotto's Irish St Leger run, saying: "He ran OK, but it was a very strong pace and the horse who set it won the Irish Cesarewitch. Probably that race didn't quite suit him. I'm not saying he would have won anyway, but a mile and a half could really suit him in Hong Kong."
The Hong Kong Vase, a prestigious Gr.1 contest run over 2,400 metres at Sha Tin Racecourse, has been won by notable international stars in recent years. Highland Reel claimed victory in both 2015 and 2017 for Aidan O'Brien, while Japanese supermare Deidre triumphed in 2019. The 2022 edition was won by the locally-trained Win Marilyn.
Looking ahead to 2024, Botti noted: "In the spring there's nothing for him until May if we go back to York for the race he won this year."
As Giavellotto's connections weigh up their options, racing fans will be eagerly awaiting news of whether this talented middle-distance performer will be testing his mettle on the international stage in Hong Kong.