Tac De Boistron has staked a major claim for the Gold Cup with a five length win in the Group Three Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.
Owned by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, Tac De Boistron was sent back to Europe last year after failing on firm tracks in the 2012 Geelong and Melbourne Cups.
The 2013 Prix de Royal-Oak winner looked a class act as he bounded away from the opposition in the final furlong (200m) under Frankie Dettori.
However, trainer Marco Botti stressed that Tac De Boistron’s appearance in the staying championship at the Royal meeting in June hinges on soft ground.
“It was his first race of the year,” Botti said.
“We didn’t want to give him a hard time, but he was very impressive the way he travelled through the race and he put the race to bed in a few strides.
“I don’t think we’d race on ground that was too quick. Today the ground had dried out a little bit. As long as he gets his toe in that is fine.
“We wouldn’t run him on firm ground.”
The Newmarket trainer is hoping there are plenty of showers around in June for him to give Tac De Boistron the go-ahead in the Royal Ascot showpiece.
“There is a Group Two race in France at the end of May, but he was so impressive we’ll probably bypass that and wait for the Gold Cup and see what kind of ground we get,” he said.
