Tuesday 3 September 2013 13:08, UK
Marco Botti has identified the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot as a possible alternative to the Breeders' Cup Classic for star middle-distance runner Planteur.
"I think it will be another three weeks before he is ready to run, there is a possible race in France, but we'll see. "He is a horse who prefers soft ground and he has an entry in the Champion Stakes at Ascot (October 19). "Whether he is going to run there, it is too early to say." Another Botti inmate in the same ownership is Moohaajim, who has endured a frustrating three-year-old campaign. The son of Cape Cross colt showed top-class form as a juvenile, but was beaten on his return in the Greenham Stakes before finishing down the field in the 2000 Guineas. He has not been seen since after suffering a setback and has been roughed off for the year. "He had a setback before the July Cup and we decided we would take our time with him and wait until next season," said Botti. "There are not many races for him over six furlongs anyway, we don't want to rush him and as he prefers fast ground, he might not get his conditions later in the season. "Hopefully our patience will be rewarded next year. If you forget his Guineas run, where he didn't stay, he still ran well in the Greenham Stakes behind Olympic Glory, which looks good form now. "I think he has trained on and he is still growing. Maybe missing most of this season could be a blessing in disguise, who knows?"
