TREE TARGETS CANADIAN REPEAT

Joshua Tree is in great heart as he leaves to defend his crown in the Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine.

Now trained by Marco Botti, he was prepared for the race 12 months ago by Aidan O'Brien.

The likes of the Charlie Hills-trained Redwood, third last year, and 2010 runner-up Mores Wells will be in opposition once more.

Since joining Botti, Joshua Tree has finished second at Newmarket and then third behind Arc winner Danedream in Germany.

With Adam Kirby having lost the ride on Botti's Excelebration in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, there is some compensation for him in that he will be in North America this weekend.

"He's leaving tonight and is running in Canada on Sunday and Adam Kirby will ride," said Botti.

"He did a nice piece of work at the weekend and is in very good order.

"We got him four months ago and we knew we had a good horse, but the run at Newmarket really brought him on.

"We'll see what happens but I think the owners would like him to go on to Dubai next year."

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