Highly rated UK import Dandino is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Fresh off the back of his impressive second in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, the Australian-owned Dansili six-year-old will go to America for the US St Leger before coming to Australia for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
“He is currently in the UK but he flies to the US on the 10th of August for the US St Leger (Arlington, Chicago) then he will fly straight to Melbourne where he will run in both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup,” managing owner Darren Dance told Racing Network.
Trained by Italian-born but Newmarket based Marco Botti, Dandino has an impressive record, winning seven races from just 24 starts and he has been placed in some of the best staying races in the world.
Last year he ran second in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood, second in the Canadian International at Woodbine, a close seventh in the Hong Kong International Vase behind Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux, before his seconds this year in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He is owned by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock (like last year’s Melbourne Cup placegetter Jakkalberry).
Dandino is expected to get about 54kgs in both Cups and is fully qualified for both races.