Trainer Marco Botti has set his sights on the Sheema Classic at the Dubai World Cup meeting for his globetrotting star Giavellotto, following a breathtaking performance in the Hong Kong Vase on Sunday (8th of December).
The five-year-old showcased a devastating turn of foot at Sha Tin, overcoming traffic in the straight to surge past Dubai Honour and secure victory by two and a half lengths. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy expertly navigated the race, holding his position until the gaps appeared.
“He was very impressive, I must admit,” said Botti. “We were a bit concerned about the sharper mile-and-a-half trip at Sha Tin, but his turn of foot was exceptional. Even after getting checked in the straight, he picked up in a couple of strides and found another gear.”
Giavellotto’s stunning improvement this year has impressed connections, particularly his newfound acceleration.
“As a three- and four-year-old, we stepped him up to longer distances, but he didn’t show much of a turn of foot. What we saw in Hong Kong was the best performance of his career,” Botti added.
The versatile campaigner raced extensively in 2023, travelling to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Ireland, and Hong Kong. This willingness to travel has opened doors to lucrative international races.
“He enjoys travelling, which is a huge bonus. It allows us to target big-money races, and he thrives being away from the yard,” said Botti.
Looking ahead, Botti confirmed a shift in plans for 2024.
“We’ll skip Saudi next year and focus on Dubai, with the Sheema Classic as his main target. It’s a tough race, especially with the Japanese horses usually in contention, but he handles left-handed tracks well and is versatile.”
Giavellotto may also have a future at stud when his racing days are over.
“He’s still entire, and while he was tricky when younger, he’s matured beautifully. We hope he can transition to a National Hunt stallion career—he’s a good-looking horse and deserves a nice place,” said Botti.
After redefining himself as a top-tier mile-and-a-half contender, Giavellotto is primed for another exciting season on the world stage.