MOZART’S Giovanni (22-10) posted a workmanlike win for the stable and owner Mike Rattray at Scottsville on Sunday, trying his heart out all the way to the line in a Graduation Plate over 1500m.
The grey gelding was a few lengths off the pace throughout and still had a bit to do going through the 300m mark, but he stuck to his guns and eventually got there under Anthony Delpech, going away from the opposition as they drove to the line.
“This was his second run after gelding and it helped,” said assistant trainer Nathan Kotzen. “We also took the blinkers off and dropped him in distance, though by the way he runs I still think he will go 2000m. Go Deputy is a good stallion,” he remarked.
Delpech agreed, saying: “He seems better without blinkers and he might want a bit further now. He feels like a horse who wants 2000m. This was a very good run.”
Earlier in the day, Delpech was victorious on Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s three-year-old filly Emaliyami, who came under some pressure halfway down the straight in a Maiden Plate over 1600m, but plugged away smartly and eventually found her rhythm, drawing away to a four-length win.
“She’s a tiny filly and in my opinion she wasn’t a 5-10 shot, but she beat the wide draw perfectly and she has more improvement to come,” Delpech said.
Emaliyami is by Rock of Gibraltar and despite her size will bear watching over more ground, this season.