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Marco Botti has his eyes on a big race double in the Far East with his globetrotters Jakkalberry and Joshua Tree.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Both horses have done the Newmarket-based trainer proud, with Joshua Tree taking the G1 Canadian International and Jakkalberry faring best of the European raiders in the G1 Melbourne Cup with an excellent third place.
Jakkalberry is set to take up an invitation to the Japan Cup on November 25, with Joshua Tree going for the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on December 9.
Joshua Tree has also been in tremendous form this year, finishing second in the Dubai Gold Cup and winning the Prix Kergorlay at Deauville in August.
“The plan for Joshua Tree is for him to go to Hong Kong,” said Botti.
As well as finishing third at a big price at Flemington, Jakkalberry won the American St Leger at Arlington in August and was third to Cirrus Des Aigles in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.
“Jakkalberry ran a very good race in Australia. He’s a tough horse. It was a slow pace, but he finished well and it was a great result,” said Botti.
“I think we will take a chance in the Japan Cup. He’s been invited.
“It’s going it be a tough race but he’s well and he’s come out of the Melbourne Cup in good form.”
