Marco Botti credits Oisin Murphy's advice after Giavellotto lands £2.4 million Hong Kong Vase

The Marco Botti-trained Giavellotto made his Group 1 breakthrough when producing a thunderous turn of foot to blast clear in the Longines Hong Kong Vase under Oisin Murphy, becoming the first British-trained winner of the race in 12 years.

The five-year-old has taken a big step forward this season, winning at York and Newmarket during the summer to bring his Group 2 tally to three, and he ran with plenty of credit when beaten three lengths into third by the dominant stayer Kyprios in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh in September.

Although his best form has come over 1m6f or further, the drop back in trip posed no issue as Murphy cut a very confident figure turning for home, travelling beautifully in mid-division, while all his rivals were beginning to be asked for maximum effort.

A perfect gap appeared and Murphy began to angle him through, but eventual tenth La City Blanche managed to regain his position on the outside, cutting Giavellotto off which resulted in him going from mid-division to third from last in a few strides. 

But once Murphy began to get more animated Giavellotto recovered the ground and charged to the lead at the furlong pole before finding another change of gear to put two and a half lengths between him and the field, scoring at odds of 133-10 with the other British-trained runner, Dubai Honour, staying on for second despite having plenty of in-running trouble of his own.

Murphy, who was riding his first Group 1 winner at this meeting at the ninth attempt, said: "It was all very comfortable until I got to the turn and I had to wait. You're worried that the race is going to get away from you but it probably served to fill him up a little bit. 

"When I got some racing room he was explosive. I was really able to enjoy the last furlong which is a really difficult thing to do in a top-level Group 1. Marco thought a mile and a half was fine and I think as he's getting older, he's getting a bit sharper and faster."

Giavellotto is greeted by his team after Hong Kong Vase successCredit: Edward Whitaker

It was Botti's first top-level success since Capla Temptress landed the Natalma Stakes at Woodbine in 2017 and he was quick to deflect praise for the placing of the horse to the rider, who suggested the Vase as a target after he dismounted at the Curragh.

"Credit to Oisin because the first thing he mentioned after the Irish St Leger was this race," said Botti. "We followed his advice and it has worked out well. He has had only had six runs this year, so he was fresh and well coming into the race.

"Francesca Franchini bred the horse and was in tears after the race. We felt early in the season that this would be his best season because he's matured. He likes travelling and these type of horses don't come around very often."

Maureen Haggas was proud of the runner-up's effort, which was all the more gallant considering he was last but one turning for home in a race run at no more than a reasonable gallop.

"He was just a little bit keen early and Tom [Marquand] was keen to get him to settle, so he was well back," she said. "He has run a hell of a race on ground faster than he really likes, so you've got to be thrilled.

Read more . . .

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