Farraaj (yellow silks) finishes third in the Italian 2,000 Guineas
PICTURE: Stefano Grasso/Hippogroup Roma CapannelleFarraaj and Rockinante out of luck in Guineas
Report: Italy, Sunday
Capannelle: Premio Parioli (Group 3) 1m, turf, 3yo colts
BRITISH-trained pair Farraaj and Rockinante were out of luck in the Italian 2,000 Guineas, finishing third and eighth behind Malossol (Giuseppe Botti/Fabio Branca).
The winner came from well off the pace to collar Vedelago inside the final 25 yards to land the major share of the €110,000 prize by a short head, with two and a quarter lengths back to Farraaj in third.
Malossol broke his duck in a San Siro Listed race earlier this month, having been placed four times in France, where he had been based in the satellite yard run by Giuseppe Botti's son and assistant, Alessandro.
Botti jnr said: "Fabio dropped him in behind Vedelago and we are delighted with the way he won." Regarding a possible tilt at the French 2,000 Guineas for Malossol, Botti added: "No decision had been made yet as we just wanted to see what happened in this race first."
Facoltoso had set a steady pace which did not suit either Farraaj or Rockinante, both of whom were keen to get on with things and would not settle for their respective riders, Neil Callan and Pat Dobbs, as they tracked the leader.
The Roger Varian-trained Farraaj had just moved up to pass Facoltoso entering the final two furlongs and no sooner had he put his head in front than Vedalago quickened by on the outside to establish a length-and-a-half lead over Farraaj approaching the final furlong.
Meanwhile Malossol was making great strides from the rear, passing the whole field on the outside to grab the well-fancied Vedelago inside the last 25 yards, providing 28-year-old former champion jockey Fabio Branca with his first win in the race.
Farraaj kept on at one pace to maintain third place, while Richard Hannon's Rockinante was allowed to coast home once he was beaten entering the final furlong.
Varian seemed satisfied with the performance of Farraaj, tweeting: "Farraaj ran a good race to be third in Italy. Not beaten far."
Cherry Collect and Last Night Show battle it out for the Premio Regina
PICTURE: Stefano Grasso/Hippogroup Roma CapannelleAlso on Sunday
Capannelle: Premio Regina Elena (Group 3) 1m, turf, 3yo fillies
THE Clive Brittain-trained Alsindi, ridden by Neil Callan, could finish only eight in the Italian 1,000 Guineas, as trainer Stefano Botti saddled a one-two with Cherry Collect (Fabio Branca) and Last Night Show (Mirco Demuro).
The winner had a neck to spare over her stablemate, while there was a further two lengths back to Icebreaking in third. Last Night Show had made the running, with Alsindi close up in third and Cherry Collet playing a waiting game in sixth.
Alsindi was beaten over one and a half furlongs out, by which time Lasy Night Out had poached a near three-length lead.
However, that was not enough to hold off the final-furlong surge of Cherry Collect who collared the leader close home to win in good style. Icebreaking stayed on well to take third.
Cherry Collect was completing a great day for jockey Fabio Branca who had earlier won the Premio Parioli on Malossol, trained by Stefano's uncle Giuseppe.
Cherry Collect is widely regarded as the best three-year-old filly in Italy and has now won six of her seven starts, while Last Night Show has been beaten just twice in six starts, both times by Cherry Collect.
Winning owner Felice Villa, whose horses race under the Scuderia Effevi banner, said: "Cherry Collect is a fantastic filly, without any problems and very relaxed. I shall enjoy this success before we think about any future plans for her."
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