Ratings Update: Pinatubo produces another performance of merit

Some racegoers were perhaps underwhelmed by Pinatubo’s two-length success in the Dewhurst Stakes, so high had expectations been set following a blistering nine-length triumph in National Stakes. However, Pinatubo, who on Saturday made it six from six at Newmarket, still showed a level of form above standard for the principal juvenile race of the season and clocked the same performance rating as the mighty Frankel (126) had when he struck in 2010.

Pinatubo – whose master rating of 134 is the best for a juvenile since Celtic Swing 25 years ago – took a while to assert but was well on top at the line, and, with his classic prospects in mind, it was encouraging that he drew clear in the final 100 yards in a race run at a strong gallop and on soft ground which tested stamina.

The son of Shamardal will stay a mile, and, while his physique suggests there may not be a lot of improvement to come over the winter, his level of form already sets a high bar.

Unbeaten in six starts now as 2-y-o, the exciting PINATUBO shows battling spirit to take the (Group 1) Darley Dewhurst Stakes at @NewmarketRace, for @godolphin, Charlie Appleby and William Buick!🏇🔵

(🎥@itvracing)pic.twitter.com/KPNzsiyryT

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) October 12, 2019

Godolphin’s gem was chased home by four runners from Aidan O’Brien’s yard, though not in the order most had anticipated. Wichita, a seven-length winner of the Tattersalls Stakes on his previous start, had been expected to pose the stiffest test to the favourite, but he failed to run up to his best (now rated 118 from 119p).

Coventry Stakes winner Arizona, who had been handsomely beaten by Pinatubo in the National Stakes, made the favourite work harder than of late and comprehensively proved best of the rest, earning a rating of 119 (from 109). He may have started his campaign early in the season and been forward enough to win at Royal Ascot, but his physique suggests he should make a decent three-year-old and he certainly enhanced his reputation with such a gallant effort.

A mark of 119 places Arizona alongside Mums Tipple and behind only Pinatubo in the two-year-old standings which are dominated by Godolphin juveniles. Godolphin are responsible for five of the top ten, with Pinatubo, Earthlight (117p) and Victor Ludorum (115p) joined by Military March (117p) and Al Suhail (116), who showcased their ability by drawing clear of the field in the Dubai Autumn Stakes.

Military March just got the better of a rousing battle to maintain his unbeaten record and stamp himself as a Derby prospect. He certainly has the credentials on paper to make up into a top-class middle-distance performer as he is by Derby hero New Approach and out of Yorkshire Oaks winner Punctilious, so the future is bright for such an unexposed colt with plenty to recommend him on looks as well as pedigree.

The signs are perhaps not quite so positive for Al Suhail, who clearly possesses plenty of ability but looked rather awkward under pressure and has a question to answer regards his attitude, for all this represented a career best.

MILITARY MARCH prevails in a battle of the two @godolphin runners, taking the (Group 3) Dubai Autumn Stakes at @NewmarketRace, for @oismurphy and Saeed bin Suroor!

(🎥@itvracing)pic.twitter.com/Tv0g67KNHs

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) October 12, 2019

Godolphin had a rare two-year-old reverse in the Zetland Stakes as Volkan Star made little impression behind the impressive winner Max Vega (108p from 88p), who was one of four winners on the Newmarket card for Ralph Beckett. It may not have been the strongest edition of the Zetland but Max Vega, who relished the stiff test of stamina, won readily by three lengths, showing useful form, and he received quotes for the Derby.

Classic credentials were also under scrutiny at Newmarket the previous day in the Fillies’ Mile, which was won in game style by Quadrilateral (110p), who stayed on strongly to deny Powerful Breeze and inflict a first defeat on that rival. The last four winners of the Fillies’ Mile, which includes Minding and Laurens, have all subsequently won another Group 1, and this year’s form looks up to standard, with Quadrilateral, who has come a long way in a short space of time, bolstering the excellent impression she had created at Newbury.

Powerful Breeze (110p from 105p) also enhanced her reputation despite losing her unbeaten record. She impressed with how she quickened to the front but possibly made her move sooner than ideal and was outstayed by the winner. This was only her third start so she remains a serious contender for the 1000 Guineas.

QUADRILATERAL (9/4) storms home against the rail to claim a dramatic victory in the (Group 1) Fillies' Mile at @NewmarketRace, for @Jason7Watson1 and @RogerCharlton!

Another winner for Timeform's TV Focus! ✅

(@itvracing)pic.twitter.com/lQchGmKU3O

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) October 11, 2019

Other performances of note at Newmarket on Friday were produced by Mustashry (124 from 123), who took full advantage of an excellent front-running ride to comfortably win the Challenge Stakes and produce an effort of similar merit to his Lockinge win, and Fanny Logan (113+), who overcame a positional bias to win the Pride Stakes and make it four wins in a row.

The Old Rowley Cup was run at a strong gallop, which placed a premium on stamina, and it was won in fine style by Trueshan (114p from 103p), who has progressed rapidly in the past couple of months and stormed clear in the manner of a smart stayer.

However, an even better performance was produced by a three-year-old handicapper at York on the same afternoon as Hamish (120p from 110p) built on his Melrose win with a smooth success which marked him down as a leading contender for next year’s Ebor. He relished the emphasis on stamina and could be called the winner from some way out as he eased into contention and quickly drew clear. He was value for much more than the winning margin of two and three quarter lengths.

The most prestigious Flat handicaps of the weekend were the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday and the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh on the following day. Both were won by horses from the Willie Mullins yard as Stratum (113 from 107), who had been turned over at 1/4 when running over hurdles on his previous start, struck at Newmarket, while Royal Illusion (102 from 91) routed them by eight and a half lengths at the Curragh.

Make A Challenge also posted a wide-margin, noteworthy win at the Curragh, earning a rating of 122 (from 121) with success in the 6f listed race. He has been supplemented for Saturday’s Champions Sprint Stakes on the back of his sixth win of the campaign, and he doesn’t have a lot to find on the figures.

For many the ‘proper’ jumps season kicked off with Chepstow’s two-day fixture on Friday and Saturday and the meeting got under way with a smart prospect striking in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle. Thyme Hill finished third in last year’s Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and looks set to also take high rank over hurdles based on his impressive debut over obstacles. He earned a rating of 137P for his cosy two-length success.

A large P was also given to dual Grade 1 winner Reserve Tank (135P), who found Jarveys Plate too strong on his chasing debut but went like the best prospect before fitness told. He is one to remain positive about and his Festival hopes have been far from derailed.