Godolphin celebrated a memorable Group One double in the Premio Vittorio di Capua at Milan’s San Siro racecourse on Saturday.
Emirati jockey Ahmed Ajtebi aboard Biondetti had got the bandwagon rolling as he landed the Group One Gran Criterium while Rio De La Plata spurred on by Frankie Dettori rolled back the years to give the boys in blue from the Al Quoz stable plenty to cheer.
Rio De La Plata is Godolphin’s sixth winner of the Premio Vittorio di Capua following on from Muhtathir (1999), Slickly (2001 & 2002), Ancient World (2004) and Gladiatorus (2009).
The five-year-old son of Rahy broke well and was soon settled in seventh on the inside of the 11-strong field by Dettori.
He started to make smooth headway entering the straight and disputed fourth passing the three-furlong marker.
Rio De La Plata ran on to take the lead with a furlong and a half left and forged clear of his rivals approaching the final furlong.
He was kept up to his work inside the distance to fend off the challenge of Vanjura, prevailing by a short neck in 1m 38.20s on the soft turf.
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Rio De La Plata ran a huge race today and I am delighted that he has won another Group One.
“He was always travelling well and Frankie had him in a nice position throughout the race.
“I was a little concerned about the ground today but it rode like good to soft and he finished his race well.
“There are no plans for him at the moment but we will have to look at winning another Group One race with him now.”
Biondetti maintained his unbeaten record in Italy’s leading juvenile contest.
The two-year-old Bernardini colt was ridden leaving the stalls before settling in fifth under Ajtebi after the first furlong.
He moved up to fourth with half a mile to race but was relegated to sixth as the pace quickened entering the straight.
Biondetti was asked for his effort soon after and he responded well, running on to take second passing the two-furlong marker and hitting the front entering the final furlong.
Singapore Lilly briefly threatened to lay down a strong challenge in the closing stages, but the Godolphin runner found plenty under pressure to score by half a length in 1m 41.5s on the soft turf.
Winning trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni commented: “Biondetti ran a very good race today and he won quite nicely in the end - Ahmed didn’t have to be too hard on him.
“He was still a bit green but he has improved with every appearance and I am very pleased to have won a Group One contest with him.
“I don’t know if he will run again this year. We will see how he comes out of this race and then discuss any further plans.
“He will be given an entry in the Breeders’ Cup but I will have to speak with His Highnes Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, before finalising any decision.
“Vale Of York was second in this race 12 months ago before going on to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile but I think that it might have been a stronger renewal of the Gran Criterium last year.”
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