Giavellotto Dazzled in the Elite Once Again and Added Royal Ascot to His Journey Around the World
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In an impressive finish, and with Oisin Murphy in his reins, he caught the mare Kalpana in the final meters of the Hardwicke Stakes (G2)
BERKSHIRE, England (Special for Turf Diario).– Untiring traveler, protagonist of the best international races, and owner of an admirable consistency, Giavellotto added another prestigious chapter to his campaign this Saturday by capturing the Hardwicke Stakes (G2-2400 m, turf), one of the most demanding events of the final day at Royal Ascot.
The pupil of Marco Botti, ridden with absolute confidence by Oisin Murphy, defeated the excellent Kalpana (Study of Man) by a head in a thrilling finish, while the French-trained Goliath (Adlerflug) completed a meritorious performance despite his jockey, Christophe Soumillon, losing a stirrup in the decisive stages.
The race fully lived up to expectations. Considered by many as a disguised G1 due to the quality of its participants, it developed at a sustained pace, favoring the closers.
Kalpana was the first to launch her attack with two furlongs remaining to the wire, but Murphy had followed her every move. Giavellotto responded with determination, while Goliath advanced on the outside looking to join the definition.
The three drew clear from the rest and starred in an intense duel in the straight. In the end, the resilience and heart of Giavellotto made the difference to give him a victory of massive value.
A winner of the 2024 Hong Kong Vase (G1) and recently third in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan, the son of Mastercraftsman proved once again that he feels right at home facing the best in the world.
"When he drew level with Kalpana I thought he wasn't going to pass her, because she kept finding resources," Bottiacknowledged. "But this horse is incredible. He has taken us all over the world and now he wins at Royal Ascot. You cannot ask for more."
The Italian trainer also confirmed that the main objective will be to return to Hong Kong later in the season, meaning he will probably not participate in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1).
Murphy, who thus secured his first triumph of the week at the meeting, never hid the confidence he had in his mount: "I couldn't believe the price he was paying," he commented. "He is a G1 winner and always runs well when he is fresh. I was clear that if I waited long enough before asking him, I was going to have a great chance."
For Kalpana, the defeat did not tarnish a top-level performance. The mare trained by Andrew Balding proved once again that she belongs to the elite of European stayers and only yielded to an opponent of immense caliber: "I am very proud of her," Balding explained. "Perhaps a somewhat softer ground would have helped her, but the winner is an extraordinary horse."
Goliath, for his part, left very positive signs for the future. The French representative closed strongly in the straight until the incident suffered by Soumillon complicated his chances: "I think the real Goliath is back," Francis-Henri Graffard noted. "With a bit more luck we could have been much closer. Ascot demands quality, but also a bit of fortune, and this week we didn't have it."
Among a field of international class, Giavellotto once again answered the call. He did it just like so many other times: fighting until the end, leaving everything on the track, and confirming that he remains one of the most consistent and courageous stayers on the global stage.
