Crackerjack King has been beaten only once in his career

PICTURE: Hippogroup Roma Capannelle-Scoopdyga

LAST year’s Derby Italiano winner Crackerjack King could have his first start in Britain in the Coral Eclipse following his transfer to the expanding Newmarket stable of Marco Botti.

The four-year-old colt left Botti’s brother Stefano on Monday after ending his career in Italy with a Group 1 victory in Sunday’s Premio Presidente della Repubblicafollowing Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s purchase of a half share in the horse.

“One of my owners from Australia who owns Jakkalberry bought 50 per cent through Blandford Bloodstock,” said Botti.

“Once he is in the yard we will see how he settles in. He has been entered in the Eclipse. I’m not saying he will go for the Eclipse but at this stage it’s a possibility to run at Sandown.

“There are a lot of mile-and-a-quarter races, the Juddmonte could be another, although we will have to take on Frankel. He is also entered in the Arlington Million and later in the year he could go for the Cox Plate but that’s a bit far away.”

Crackerjack King is Jakkalberry’s half-brother and has been beaten only once in six starts.

Botti added: “He is a progressing horse. His only defeat was in the French Derby but I know he didn’t travel well to France. He won the Italian Derby and his best trip is a mile and a quarter. He showed a tremendous turn of foot on Sunday, he travelled well and picked up to win in good style.”

Da Racingpost martedì 15/05/2012