Hero Pin back firing again
PINATUBO made it third-time lucky this year when fending off Lope Y Fernandez to lift the Group One Qatar Prix Jean Prat at Deauville.
Charlie Appleby’s son of Shamardal, who numbered two Group Ones among six successes as a two-year-old, marked his return with a third in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month before a second in Royal Ascot’s St James’s Palace Stakes two weeks later.
But, stepping back from a mile to seven furlongs,Will Buick’s mount lived up to his status as the 1-2 favourite to secure a third top-level prize by three-quarters of a length.
“I came here today with plenty of confidence,” said Appleby. “We knew dropping back to seven furlongs would be his bag.
“While it was a bit of a rough race, as William said afterwards, when you’re riding a horse like him everything just seems easy.
“The horse deserved that today, and I’m thrilled for him.”
The victory earned the Godolphin colt a 5-2 quote for the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on July 29. But Appleby warned: “I don’t think we will be going to Goodwood. He’s had three fairly quick runs at the top level and we might be better giving him more time.”
Earlier on the card, Earthlight maintained his unbeaten record with an impressive return to action in the Qatar Prix Kistena.
Andre Fabre’s colt was one of the star juveniles in Europe last season – winning each of his five starts, including Group One triumphs in the Prix Morny and the Middle Park at Newmarket.