Godolphin's unbeaten juvenile colt Pinatubo got the better of Arizona to bring down the curtain on a perfect season with victory in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, but the the Aidan O'Brien-trained runner-up did give supporters of the 1-3 favourite something to think about before the son of Sharmadal asserted in the final 100 yards.
Pintaubo had made a striking impression, both visually and on the clock, in his most recent victories in the Qatar Vintage Stakes at Goodwood and in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh, and was no bigger than 5-4 for next season's 2000 Guineas ahead of the final assignment of his two-year-old season.
Partnered by William Buick for the third consecutive time, Pinatubo made patient progress up the middle of the track, as O'Brien stablemates Arizona and Witchita were ridden more aggressively.
Witchita, who had been supplemented for the race after an emphatic course-and-distance win in the Tattersalls Stakes last month, was the first to crack as his effort up the stands’ rail petered out.
But Arizona, who finished more than nine lengths behind Pinatubo at the Curragh last month, was to prove a far more obdurate rival under Seamie Heffernan.
Buick was forced to reach for his stick, but his mount responded admirably, and he ultimately prevailed by two lengths at the line on ground that may have been softer than ideal.
Perfect Pinatubo extends his unbeaten sequence to six with a determined display in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes for William Buick and Charlie Appleby 👏 pic.twitter.com/h0xi1uOBla
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) October 12, 2019
Winning trainer Charlie Appleby told ITV afterwards: "I'm relieved, we can all try and be calm and composed beforehand but when you get a horse like this... we've all seen it with Enable last week, and it clearly means a lot to the public.
"Thankfully, this horse has gone and done it and kept the dream alive for the winter."
