Botanik just denied in G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud

Progressive two-year-old Botanik took another significant step forward when finishing a short-neck second in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over a mile and a quarter at Saint-Cloud, France, on Saturday, 24 October.

The Golden Horn colt, stepping up markedly in class for trainer Andre Fabre after scoring at the same course in a mile maiden, raced on the outside of the field initially before tucking in behind the leaders in fourth after the first two furlongs.

Botanik was briefly relegated to fifth as the pace quickened turning in but stayed on strongly for Mickael Barzalona after being switched wide to deliver his challenge in the straight.

All seven runners looked to hold chances approaching the final furlong, with Botanik making good headway to take second with half a furlong to race. The Godolphin homebred continued to close in on the lead in the closing stages as Teofilo colt Gear Up narrowly made all in testing conditions.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Botanik ran a superb race and we are delighted with him. Mickael Barzalona said that he ran very nicely – he felt that Botanik was very honest and still slightly immature, so he should hopefully progress further next year.”