STILL PIN SHARP
Guineas favourite excites Appleby
CHARLIE APPLEBY was glowing when talking about the prospects of his 2,000 Guineas favourite Pinatubo landing the first Classic of the season at Newmarket on June 6.
He has the best juvenile rating recorded, higher than the mighty Frankel, on account of his success in all of his six races last term.
Appleby dismissed any notion that the Godolphin-owned colt was just a precocious two-year-old.
“We are not going to have conclusive proof until the 2,000 Guineas but my gut feeling is that Pinatubo has trained on,” he said.
“No buttons will be pressed until the big day but from what we are seeing at home, he has gone the right way.
“Physically, I do see a change. He has grown and strengthened over the winter.”
Pinatubo has yet to race beyond seven furlongs but that has not prevented punters making him the 6-5 favourite for the Guineas that takes place over a mile, and his
Newmarket trainer said: “I think the mile is going to be his trip.
“He has pleased me in his work in preparation for the Guineas and provided there are no hiccups, I think he will give a very good account of himself.”
Reflecting on the colt’s scintillating performance in the Dewhurst Stakes, on his final run last term, Appleby added: “It was the perfect end to a great season, and the fact that he was the best two-year-old in 25 years on official ratings was simply the cherry on top.”
Appleby, 44, has repeatedly rewarded Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation since he was handed the job in 2013.
The Derby was landed with Masar two years ago. This was followed by his first Group One winner at Royal Ascot with Blue Point in the King’s Stand Stakes.
Also, he finished the year by capturing the Melbourne Cup with Cross Counter.
The Melbourne Cup is again
Cross Counter’s objective this season.
On his other top horses, Appleby said: “Ghaiyyath’s first target is the Coronation Cup at Newmarket on Friday, June 5,.
“He comes to his season in Europe physically stronger, with a winter behind him in Dubai, where he won the Dubai Millennium Stakes at Meydan.”
After failing to produce at stud, Barney Roy showed that he retains all of his ability by winning at Meydan in March.
“Next month’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot is his next assignment,” said Appleby.
“And the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot is a possible early target for Old Persian.”
The Derby is pencilled in for Al Suhail and the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot is on the cards for Royal Crusade.
It might be early days to nominate another Pinatubo but Appleby has encouraging words for his two-year-olds – notably Magical Land and Creative Force.