MARCO Botti recorded his 10th winner of the year when Gitano Hernando recorded a comfortable victory at Doncaster today (March 29).
Just 24 hours after Everynight notched up a victory at the first meeting of the turf season, it was the turn of the Team Valor-owned Hernando colt.
John Egan dropped him in towards the rear in the 1m 2f handicap in which Tepmokea took them along at a decent clip.
Gitano Hernando, a Wolverhampton maiden winner on his last start at two, always travelled well and came with a confident challenge from 3f out.
He was going so sweetly that Egan allowed him to hit the front at the two-pole and he gradually wore down Tepmokea, eventually scoring by a two and a half lengths.
Botti was more than pleased with his 3/1 winner, saying: “I was delighted with the outcome and it was a good performance.
“They went a good pace and picked up nicely. I know it was a Class 3 handicap but I think he ran against some decent horses.
“John Egan was very positive after the race and said the horse would probably stay a mile and a half.
“I think he will have another race here. Then the plan is that he should go to Belmont Park for a Grade 1 at the beginning of June.” |