Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby believes his powerful string of contenders, headlined by last year’s juvenile sensation Pinatubo, are ready to for their European campaign when the British racing season gets underway on June 1.
Pinatubo is undefeated in six starts, including two Group 1 prizes, earning him a rating of 128, which is higher than the great Frankel at the same stage of his career. The Shamardal colt is set to be primed for his reappearance in the 2000 Guineas - the first of the British Classics at Newmarket, provisionally rescheduled for June 6 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Physically, I do see change. He has grown and strengthened over winter,” Appleby told godolphin.com. “At this time of the year, the question everybody is asking of the Guineas favourite is ‘has he trained on?’
“We are not going to have conclusive proof until the 2000 Guineas, but my gut feeling is that he has trained on. No buttons will be pressed until the big day but from what we are seeing at home, he has gone the right way.
“You can also tell he is an experienced racehorse now. He goes about his business professionally, and nothing fazes him.”
Pinatubo made his debut in a Class 4 Novice at the all-weather Wolverhampton track and followed up with victory in the Class 2 Conditions at Epsom.
Stepping up in class, he was successful in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Ascot, before stretching his unbeaten run to four in the Group 3 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.
He then trounced Aidan O’Brien’s Armory by nine lengths in the Group 1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh, and rounded off the season by claiming the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
Stable jockey William Buick, who was in the saddle in his last two starts, rode Pinatubo for the first time since the Dewhurst last October and was very pleased with the colt.
“William said he gave him the same feel as when he rode him at two,” Appleby said. “We were pleased with his work. It was nice and simple and he went about it in his usual professional straightforward manner. We were delighted the way he finished off the gallop, over six furlongs.”
Pinatubo spent the winter at Newmarket on the decision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai and Founder of the Dubai Racing Operation.
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Secretariat, Frankel and the top 10 race horses in history
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Secretariat (foaled in 1970). Demolished his rivals by 31 lengths in the Belmont Stakes to complete the Triple Crown. Popularly known as ‘Big Red’, the American Hall of Famer won 16 of his 21 career starts. Widely regarded as one of the top three race horses of all time and got his own Hollywood movie. Getty Images -
Mill Reef (1968). His campaign was highlighted by winning both the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Bred in the USA and raced in the UK, he won 12 of his 14 starts and was runner-up twice. Getty -
Brigadier Gerard (1968). Was successful in 17 of his 18 career starts and runner-up in the other. The 1972 British Horse of the Year, he won the 2000 Guineas in an epic clash over 'rival' Mill Reef in 1971. Getty -
Frankel (2008). The king of modern racing. The European champion was undefeated in 14 starts, which included 10 Group 1 prizes. Frankel, the son of Galileo, was the highest rated thoroughbred in the world at 147 from May 2011. Getty -
Black Caviar (2006). The Australian Hall of Famer mare won 15 Group 1 prizes and was undefeated in 25 starts. She was named the WTRR (World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings) champion sprinter four years in a row from 2010. Getty -
Cigar (1990). He lived up to his top billing by winning the inaugural Dubai World Cup. He became a star performer after switching to the dirt surface to win 16 consecutive races. Getty -
American Pharoah (2012). The first horse to win the American Grand Slam of thoroughbred racing by becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner and the Breeder’s Cup Classic champion. He won the 2015 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. Reuters -
Arkle (1957). His career was highlighted by a hat-trick at the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1964-1966). The Irish-bred son of Archive had an extraordinary ability to carry heavier weights and never fell. Getty -
Red Rum (1965). The only horse to win the Grand National three times to date. He was successful in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and was runner up in-between. A horse suited for a thorough test of stamina. Getty -
Desert Orchid (1979). Dessie, as he was affectionately nicknamed, was one of the most lovable steeple chasers in Britain. He won 34 of his 70 races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Irish Grand National. Reuters
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“It was decided that he should stay at home in Newmarket in familiar surroundings for the simple reasons of not wanting to change his training style or where he trains,” Appleby said.
Pinatubo has won twice over six furlongs and four times over seven. Appleby believes the 2000 Guineas distance over the mile is going to be his trip.
“I believe that because of his mental attitude,” he said. “He is a relaxed character, and if he was later asked to step up in trip, I think he has the right mindset for it.
“As for his physical attributes, he won six races as a juvenile, and three of them were on three of Britain’s most challenging courses — Epsom, Goodwood and Newmarket. His athleticism is a key asset.”
Ghaiyyath, Barney Roy, Old Persian and the 2018 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter are Appleby's older horses to watch for.
All four spent the winter in Dubai, with Ghaiyyath successful in the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes, while Barney Roy won the Group 2 Al Rashidiya and Group 1 Jebel Hatta during the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan.
Appleby has Ghaiyyath aimed at the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Newmarket on June 5 and Barney Roy in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes at Ascot.
“Ghaiyyath comes to his season in Europe physically stronger, with a winter behind him in Dubai,” he said.
“Now a five-year-old, he is the finished article. He missed his intended Sheema Classic engagement when the Dubai World Cup meeting was cancelled. He travelled back to UK in late April and he has been in full training.”
Barney Roy showed his class, winning twice at Meydan. Appleby also aims him to be on their international team later in the year.
“Old Persian had the winter off,” Appleby said. “He was Ghaiyyath’s understudy, and when he wasn’t required in Dubai, the decision was taken to freshen him up for a campaign in Europe.
“Cross Counter was fresh and well when he went to Riyadh for the Saudi Turf Handicap in February, and he did a bit more than we wanted, he was a bit gassy.
“He was fifth (beaten seven lengths). Obviously, the Gold Cup in Dubai was cancelled and he’s arrived back in UK in good order."
Al Suhail, Royal Crusade and King’s Command are among Appleby's three-year-old hopefuls, while the trainer said most of his two-year-olds need a little time to come to hand, and in a normal year, he would be looking to unveil some nice types at the Newmarket July Meeting. Magical Land, Creative Force, Royal Touch and Noble Dynasty are the two-year-olds of note.
