18 May. ITA. Premio Presidente Repubblica. G1. Rome. 2.000 mts. Turf. 396.000 €
1.- SADDEX (K.McEvoy)
2.- PRESSING (N.Callan)
3.- FREEMUSIC (G.Marcelli)


Saddex (Sadler’s Wells) added a second Group One to his tally this afternoon, coming out on top to lift the Premio Presidente della Repubblica at Rome, denying Pressing (Soviet Star) a second consecutive victory at the highest level.

With just nine tackling the 2000m (1¼m), there was never any urgency about the pace. Axxos (Monsun) and Shrek (Pelder) took the field along sedately followed by Sopran Promo (Montjeu) and Freemusic (Celtic Swing). Pressing ran uncovered just behind with Saddex preferring to remain off the pace near the back of the field.

Last year’s Italian 2,000 Guineas winner Golden Titus (Titus Livius) moved up to join Hattan (Halling) in mid-division as they approached the first turn.

Coming into the long Capannelle home stretch Axxos and Shrek were still out in front but Pressing came three wide and looked to have a lot of running left. Saddex began to make his move from the rear.

With two furlongs to run Pressing quickened sharply and took over the lead but Saddex and Golden Titus began to close in. Golden Titus fell away and there were just two left in the race. Under a strong ride from Kerrin McEvoy, Saddex wore down Pressing and scored by just a head at the wire.

Freemusic, who had failed to reproduce his three year-old form, took a well-deserved third ahead of Golden Titus and Selmis (Selkirk), fourth and fifth respectively.

Like so many of the German horses Saddex showed his resilience at this distance. He came into the race off a strong half-length second to Duke Of Marmalade in the G.1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp, and a return visit for the G.1 Grand Prix de Paris is not out of the