Appleby pins hopes on Pinatubo to deliver European classic double for Godolphin with colt’s seventh title
Godolphin are aiming to complete a European classic double after racing in France and Britain returned from the Covid-19 lockdown.
After Victor Ludorum triumphed in the French 2000 Guineas, Pinatubo will be bidding to emulate that feat in the English equivalent at Newmarket on Saturday.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Pinatubo is undefeated in six starts and a red-hot favourite in the 15-runner field for Britain’s first classic of the year.
Appleby is confident his colt can stretch his unbeaten run while emphasising the importance of the meeting for the Dubai racing operation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. “His Highness has closely monitored the progress of the young horses as they embark on their three-year-old careers, but this is the first big test and it’s a focal point for Godolphin,” Appleby told the operation’s website.
“And what an important occasion it will be for Pinatubo, who was rated the best two-year-old in 25 years but now has to show he has gone on where he left off last October. He has continued to please me in every way. Pinatubo’s draw [Stall 7] is absolutely ideal.”
The Godolphin star is joined by stablemates Al Suhail and Military March. Al Suhail was runner-up to the latter in the Group 3 Dubai Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in his last start in October.
Aidan O’Brien has a quartet in the race and the Ballydoyle trainer can pose the biggest challenge for Godolphin.
Arizona, twice beaten by Pinatubo, appears to be the ace in the pack under Ryan Moore.
“I know Arizona did very well at two, but we always thought he would make up into a better three-year-old,” O’Brien said. “The ground should be ideal, as the better the ground, the better he will be.”
Wichita with Frankie Dettori aboard, Royal Dornoch and New World Tapestry complete the quartet. Ghaiyyath will be first up for Godolphin in the Group 1 Coronation Cup on Friday after his Group 3 win of Dubai Millennium at Meydan in February. “Ghaiyyath puts so much effort; he was taking a long time to get over his earlier runs. But we have seen a change in him, of late,” Appleby said. “He is now the finished article. He can be a flagship for Godolphin in the top middle-distance races this year.”