Giavellotto (100-30) proved that a drop back in distance to a mile and a half was no problem for him as he came home the comfortable winner of the highlight of Ladies Day at The July Festival, the Group Two Princess Of Wales’s Stakes (Sponsored By The Kingdom Of Bahrain).
Prior to today the five-year-old Mastercraftsman horse had previously shown his best form over further, highlighted by his second in the 2022 St Leger at Doncaster and last time out victory in the Group Two Yorkshire Cup over a mile and three-quarters at York in May.
Partnered by Oisin Murphy today, Giavellotto overhauled leader Arrest inside the final furlong before lengthening impressively for a three and a quarter lengths triumph.
A step back up in trip and class now beckons for Giavellotto, with Group One Irish St Leger at the Curragh on September 15th now a target.
Marco Botti, the winning Newmarket-based trainer, said: “He is in the form of his life and is a much stronger horse this year. We weren’t too worried about dropping back to a mile and a half, especially on a stiff course.
“He travelled so well into the race and Oisin said it was only a matter of having to press the button and the horse picked up straight away and ran strongly to the line. We know he stays well and the ground has dried out enough to be on the easy side of good. I don’t think he wants it too soft but is versatile at the same time – he has also won on really fast ground.
“He is a big horse and very strong so the weight (3lbs Group Two penalty) was not an issue. I thought it was a good performance and he showed he is definitely at his best this year.
“The Irish St Leger has always been the plan and I think today was a stepping stone towards that as long as the ground doesn’t go too soft – heavy ground would be a concern and it can happen in September at the Curragh. I’m looking forward to it.
“Last year we planned his campaign around running him over two miles and went to Goodwood. We felt he stays well but it was just stretching him over that trip. He is stronger this year so probably has more speed than last year and dropping back to a mile and a half was never going to be a problem – I was confident he was going to show his best today.
“He started the season early by going to Saudi and Dubai, so has been on the go for a while. He enjoys travelling and takes his work really well. We try to space out his races and he is definitely getting more mature mentally.”
Oisin Murphy, who was registering a 29-1 Ladies Day double following the earlier victory of Sergeant Wilko (6-1) in the Bet Boost At bet365 Heritage Handicap, added: “He is getting more relaxed. The pace wasn’t that fast and he had the opportunity to not relax for me but he was excellent.
“Andrea Atzeni, a close friend of mine, gave me the ride as he went to Hong Kong. I am actually seeing him next week – he has had 48 winners out there and I think he is in the top five in the jockeys’ championship. So, thanks Andrea!
“I think the Irish St Leger will be the perfect race for him. It was a mile and a half today with a 3lbs penalty but he travelled with supreme ability and was always in control.”
