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Pinatubo masters Dewhurst test

Despite softer ground than experienced throughout his momentous campaign, Godolphin’s juvenile champion elect Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) had to sit a different examination in Saturday’s G1 Darley Dewhurst S. at Newmarket. After brief moments of anxiety, it was ultimately a familiar outcome.

Racing with more in front than behind early, the favourite never drew William Buick into any kind of panic and the operation’s ace rider simply cajoled the G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. hero past the long-time leader Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) with a furlong remaining.

From there, the writing was on the wall. Despite the tenacious effort of the runner-up, there was a comfortable 2l margin separating them and another 2.75l back to Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) in third.

“It is a relief,” Charlie Appleby said in the immediate aftermath. “We all saw last weekend with Enable what it means to the public and they are all behind this horse, so we can keep the dream alive for the winter.”

Always a step ahead of the fellow Godolphin 2-year-old luminary Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) during his impressive season, Pinatubo may have to tackle Andre Fabre’s top dog over an extra furlong back here in May in a 2000 Guineas to savour if the powers that be allow it to happen.

Appleby added, “He’s all heart and I was confident even though he didn’t travel into it as well as he can. It is testament to the horse, as the ground is soft and it’s fantastic to get the result. It was nice that he was galloping out late on and being authoritative and it’s great for all the team and Sheikh Mohammed who is here.

"He’s danced every dance and we are learning as much about his characteristics as the viewing public as he shows nothing at home and just sleeps and eats. We haven’t decided where he will winter yet, but it’s a nice discussion to have and I’d be happy to start in the Guineas without a prep race.”

Whether Pinatubo stays further than a mile remains to be seen, but the distance of 2020’s first Classic seems well within his reach and there will be several surprised people if he fails to see it out.

Godolphin dominates the Autumn Stakes

Godolphin had Saturday’s G3 Dubai Autumn S. at Newmarket to themselves from a long way out before Military March (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) edged out Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in a thriller for a one-two for the operation.

Returning from a debut win in a strong-looking seven-furlong maiden on the July Course, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained bay was content on the front end under Oisin Murphy against the rail. He had everything bar the Charlie Appleby runner Al Suhail beaten heading to two out and was passed by that rival soon after having given him the rail.

Organised after the “dip” to offer a resurgence, the homebred son of the G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Punctilious (GB) (Danehill {USA}) was back in front with 100 yards remaining and stayed on to score by 0.5l, with 7l back to Ropey Guest (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) in third.

“He’s beautiful to ride and a lovely horse,” Murphy said. “He relaxed beautifully in front and he is going to stay 10 furlongs well as he really hit the line and took a bit of pulling up. He has a big future and got through that ground, but for a big, raw physical like him it was hard work.”

Bin Suroor added, “We’ve always liked him and he’s a big strong horse who can handle any ground and always works nicely in the mornings. We’ll give him a break now and take him to Dubai and talk to Sheikh Mohammed about plans.

"It is too early to say if he would run in Dubai, but I need horses for the UAE Guineas and Derby. If he handled the dirt well out there he would run out there, but if not we will just bring him back.”

“She is a beautiful-moving Medaglia d’Oro filly and the first dam has been very productive. She was a horse I really liked.”

Medaglia d’Oro filly takes the Crown in QEII Cup

When OXO Equine LLC’s Larry Best was asked exactly what had encouraged him to spend US$1.2 million on Hip 82 a little more than two years ago on the first day of the 2017 Keeneland September Sale.

He responded, "she is a beautiful-moving Medaglia d’Oro filly and the first dam has been very productive. She was a horse I really liked."

Some 25 months on from the beginnings of that relationship with the daughter of Canadian Horse of the Year Sealy Hill (Can) (Point Given {USA}), that filly, now named Cambier Parc (USA), added Saturday’s GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. to her previous success in the GI Del Mar Oaks.

The QE II marked the fifth victory from eight career starts for Cambier Parc, but it was a front-running ride from John Velazquez that did the trick Saturday, defeating her much-ballyhooed stablemate Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}).

“When she got to the lead, she relaxed really well,” said Velazquez, winning his fifth QE II and third since 2014 (Crown Queen, Time and Motion).

"I had to keep reminding her to keep running. I didn’t want to get surprised by another horse on the outside. I think if another horse got closer, she would have gone again.”