Joshua Tree is unlikely to use his well-earned entry into the Breeders’ Cup after his second victory in the Canadian International on Sunday evening.
The Group One at Woodbine forms part of the “Win And You’re In” series for the American jamboree next month, but trainer Marco Botti would rather give his globe-trotting star a bit of a break.
Joshua Tree won the Canadian International two years ago when trained by Aidan O’Brien and finished second 12 months ago to Sarah Lynx for Botti, who is now eyeing a trip to the Far East.
“It’s unlikely that he’ll go to the Breeders’ Cup but I’ll speak to the owners,” Botti said.
“We’ll get him home before we make a definite decision but that has been his target for a while.
“The Japan Cup is more likely, that is something we need to discuss. That would give him a little bit of a longer break as he’s been on the go all year since Meydan.
“The course at Woodbine just seems to suit him perfectly, he loves it there. He was entitled to win, I thought, as he had been in such good form, winning in Deauville and then running well behind Orfevre.
“We decided on a slight change of tactics and there are not many better jockeys than Frankie Dettori from the front. When he kicked clear, I knew he’d hold on because he’s so tough.”
