Botti savouring ‘special day’ with Italian Derby hero Molveno

Marco Botti reflected on one of the greatest days of his training career after saddling to win the Derby Italiano on Monday.

Having seen his father Alduino, his uncle Giuseppe and his brother Stefano enjoy multiple victories in the Capannelle Classic, the Newmarket-based trainer was thrilled to get his name on the roll of honour, with fellow Italian in the saddle.

Botti said: “We had a nice dinner with the jockey and his family last night and it was great.

“For us the Italian Derby means a lot. My dad won it a few times, as has my brother, so he couldn’t be too upset finishing second and third this year!

“It was a great ride and I thought the horse was very brave. At one point I thought he’d slipped a little bit too far back in a field, but he actually picked up well in the straight.”

Molveno won three times on the all-weather during the winter and was last seen filling the runner-up spot in a handicap over Newmarket’s Rowley Mile.

He faced a hike in class and distance in Rome, but Botti was confident his charge had what it took to make his presence felt.

“I always thought the extra three furlongs shouldn’t be an issue. After his last run at Newmarket we thought we’d step up in trip and I said to the owner, who is Italian-based, if you want to go for the Italian Derby I wouldn’t be against it,” he added.

“He loves fast ground. I know with his form you wondered whether he’d be good enough or not, but I’ve bought a few horses for my brother rated 90/95 who have been competitive, so we said we’d take a chance and it worked out quite well.

“I’m sure it was special for Marco as well. It was his first Group Two winner, he was born in Italy and his parents were there, so it was a special day for sure.”

Molveno looks set to enjoy a short break following his Italian heroics before being campaigned abroad later in the year.

Botti said: “Having won a Group Two it will be really tough for him in England and as he travelled so well and likes fast ground, I think we’ll campaign him more in the second half of the season in a few races maybe in Qatar and Bahrain and places like that.

“I think that’s what we’ll do. He deserves a break now as it’s a long way to Rome, so we’ll freshen him up and get him ready for the second part of the season.”