Italian Guineas Double For Gleneagles

Gleneagles was responsible for both Guineas winners at Capanelle on Monday, with Vero Atleta (3c Gleneagles - Love Match, by Danehill Dancer) first to oblige when drawing clear to win the Italian 2,000 Guineas.

A Group 2 winner as a juvenile, the Grizzetti Galoppo-trained colt was sent off joint-favourite for Monday’s Classic, which is also known as the Group 3 Premio Parioli. Frankie Dettori took the ride and began to make headway from over three furlongs out, his mount driven to lead two furlongs from home. Storming clear a furlong later, he stayed on strongly to win by an impressive four and a half lengths from fellow favourite Amabile (Caravaggio). The front pair finished six and a half lengths clear of the field.

Dettori, who won the race for the first time, later said, “He was the best horse in the field and I decided to move early. The last 400 metres were longer for me than for him. I think he could stay further and have a tilt at the Derby Italiano.”

Monday marked a third Stakes success for Vero Atleta, who is owned by Scuderia Incolinx and Diego Romeo, and was bred by Corrin Stud.

Stefano Botti, who trained the runner-up in the colts’ Classic, was triumphant in the Italian 1,000 Guineas, as Shavasana (3f Gleneagles - So Many Shots, by Duke Of Marmalade) led home another 1-2 for Coolmore sires.

Unbeaten as a juvenile, she was sent off second favourite under Cristian Demuro and raced in second for much of the way. Making smooth headway to lead from three furlongs out, she was ridden a furlong later and kept on well to score by two and a quarter lengths. Previous Listed winner Estrosa (Sioux Nation) claimed runners-up honours.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “She got sick after her winning comeback, but is a talented filly with plenty of pace. The Oaks d’Italia is a possible target. She has plenty of stamina in her pedigree.”

Owned by Mario Sansoni, Shavasana was bred by Razza Del Velino.