Dandino on track for June return

As a part owner of the Marco Botti trained Dandino, myself and my fellow owners are very much looking forward to his imminent racetrack return in the UK, with the Group 1 Coronation Cup on June 7th 2014 at Newmarket his likely first-up run.

Dandino had his last start in the 2013 Melbourne Cup at Flemington last November where he came from almost last on the turn to run a gallant fifth behind Fiorente, beaten 3.5 lengths.

A trip to Hong Kong to contest the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase followed but the son of Dansili was ruled out on the eve of the race with a minor leg injury.

Dandino returned home to the UK in December to have a well earned rest and is recovering well according to Maro Botti.

“Dandino is recovering well after Hong Kong and he is back in full work,” Botti said.

We are pleased with how he is progressing and I think he will probably start off in May or June.

“Whether we go to a race like the Coronation Cup, or Jockey Club Stakes and a similar route to last year, the main thing is he has recovered well fom his Hong Kong set back and is in great form.”

Dandino contested the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket last year before tackling the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, finishing second in both races.

He then travelled to the United States to win the Grade 1 American St Leger before embarking on a Melbourne spring carnival campaign where he finished second in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup and fifth in the Melbourne Cup.

“His program wil be aimed towards the Melbourne Cup again and he won’t have too many races, following the same path as last year,” Botti said.

“He ran a great race last year in the Melbourne Cup and in the Caulfield Cup he was just unlucky to be beaten.”

“He is a horse that gives his heart and hopefully this year we will win the Melbourne Cup.”

Myself and my fellow owners hope so too!

The early entries for the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Newmarket can be found here.