Trainer Charlie Appleby has confirmed star colt Pinatubo will return to action in next month’s Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp.
The three-year-old enjoyed a bumper 2019, as he was crowned champion juvenile following an unbeaten six-race campaign.
However, things did not start so smoothly for the son of Shamardal this season, as he finished third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in June before being pushed into second by Palace Pier in the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot later that same month.
Pinatubo was able to return to winning ways in last month’s Prix Jean Prat at Deauville – the third top-level triumph of his career.
Following that victory, it was suggested Pinatubo could compete against stablemate Space Blues in the Prix de la Foret in early October and that is something Appleby has not ruled out, although he will first run the colt over a mile in the Prix du Moulin.
“Pinatubo had a nice little break after the Prix Jean Prat and the plan is to head for the Prix du Moulin. He’s building up his preparation towards that and we’re looking forward to it,” Appleby told Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast.
“We’re going back up to the mile with Pinatubo in the Moulin – I’m confident we’ll be okay over that trip, but at the end of the day, it’s the one box he hasn’t ticked as yet.
“We’ve got that challenge first and we’ll make a call after that race whether we come back to seven furlongs again or stick and head for the Breeders’ Cup Mile.”
