Botti out to bag Group 1 prize with Joshua Tree
Preview: Italy, Sunday 2.55pm BST
San Siro: Gran Premio Di Milano - Trofeo SNAI (Group 1) 1m4f, turf, 3yo+
JOSHUA TREE (Marco Botti/Adam Kirby) is the sole British-trained runner as nine horses from four countries do battle for the €209,000 prize-money on offer.
Joshua Tree, who was staying on all too late when fourth to Ivory Land over a longer trip in a Longchamp Group 2 last time out, has met with 10 straight defeats since his last win at Doha 16 months ago, but his trainer is hoping for a good run here.
He said: "The horse is in good form and ran a good race in France, where he might of needed the run a bit. We are expecting the ground to be fine for him and although no Group 1 is ever easy, this looks quite open. He is tough, takes the travelling well and has been training well, so we are hopeful of a good run."
The one to beat looks to be French raider Vadamar (Mikel Delzangles/Christophe-Patrice Lemaire), who showed his true worth when winning the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris over this trip at Longchamp in October.
The value of that performance has been demonstrated by runner-up Solemia and third-placed Ivory Land both winning Group 2 races during the spring.
William Buick has picked up a good mount on Earl Of Tinsdal (Andreas Wohler), runner-up in last year's Deutsche Derby and best of the German-trained runners.
An even bigger threat is local favourite Quiza Quiza Quiza (Luigi Riccardi/Cristian Demuro), who looked ready to step up to this trip again when a staying-on third to classy Crackerjack King in a Capannelle Group 1 last time out.
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