Trainer Marco Botti is contemplating a strategic shift for his four-year-old charge, Prince Of India, after a commendable performance in the July Cup where he finished a creditable sixth as an 80-1 outsider. The son of Wootton Bassett subsequently reaffirmed his ability by securing second place behind Clive Cox’s Coppull in a Group Two contest over seven furlongs at Newbury. Despite not having tasted victory since his triumph on Shergar Cup day at Ascot last summer, Botti sees potential for a confidence-boosting win and is considering dropping Prince Of India to Listed level for his next outing.
Reflecting on the recent Newbury race, the Newmarket-based Italian handler noted that his horse ran exceptionally well, though the split field and being on the “wrong side of the track” might have hampered his chances. He added that the winner was a high-quality horse, which further validates the form of the July Cup. Botti expressed satisfaction with the run and believes that a stiff six furlongs is likely the optimal distance for Prince Of India. The horse has been entered in a Listed race at Newmarket this Saturday, a course he has performed well on previously, especially on fast ground. Botti is keen to capitalize on Prince Of India’s current good health and enthusiasm, stating that the horse has come out of Newbury “bouncing and looks great,” and the short travel distance to Newmarket makes it an appealing option.
Meanwhile, another of Botti’s promising two-year-olds, Rocket Boy, also impressed in defeat recently. Following his surprising debut victory at Yarmouth, Rocket Boy secured a strong third-place finish in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury. Jockey Marco Ghiani reported that the ground felt a bit loose, which may have caused the horse to change leads multiple times early on, but Botti attributed this more to inexperience. He highlighted Rocket Boy’s strong finish once he found his stride, suggesting significant improvement is still to come from the colt.
Rocket Boy now has several prestigious options on the horizon. He holds entries in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket, the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, and the Ascendant Stakes, a Listed race at Haydock in early September. Botti indicated that the choice of race will depend on various factors, but a key consideration will be avoiding excessively soft ground, as the horse likely prefers a firmer surface. These upcoming races will be crucial for both horses’ careers as they aim to build on their recent encouraging performances.
