Is he the new Frankel? Pinatubo's chance to join racing's immortals

Judgement day has finally arrived. It’s been an agonisingly long wait for those ready to hail Pinatubo as the best horse seen on a racecourse since Frankel.

Unbeaten in six starts as a two-year-old, Pinatubo goes into the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, a race Frankel took by six memorable lengths in 2011, as odds-on favourite to terminate 14 rivals and join him on the Newmarket Classic’s illustrious roll of honour.

Frankel, who started 1-2 market leader, had landed his previous five starts, including two by double-figure margins.

Pinatubo, expertly handled by trainer Charlie Appleby during a juvenile career which saw him land two Group 1s, also demonstrated his awesome superiority in a Frankelesque manner by slamming Armory by nine lengths in the National Stakes at the Curragh.

Click here for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas card

There are clear similarities between the pair, but the most striking difference comes in terms of overall perception by the racing public.

Those who doubted Frankel would land the Guineas nine years ago were in an overwhelming minority, but there are seemingly plenty prepared for the Pinatubo bubble to burst on the Rowley Mile.

While both colts had an unmistakable aura about them during their two-year-old days, as a physical specimen Frankel always looked destined to train on into an even better performer at three.

Some paddock critics have pointed out that Pinatubo, who made his debut at Wolverhampton as early as last May, lacks that same sort of scope, even though Appleby stresses the son of Shamardal has excelled physically over the winter.

The million-dollar question is whether Pinatubo can reproduce – or even improve on – that precocious ability that saw him round off a magnificent season of relentless high achievement with victory in the Dewhurst, a race Frankel also captured.

Frankel blew his Guineas field apart with the sort of performance only a select few can ever produce.

Pinatubo will also need to put significant daylight between himself and his opponents if he is to be spoken of in the same breath. Reports suggest the colt is in the best possible shape to do so.

However, not all champion two-year-olds go on to match those achievements the following year and, if Pinatubo does blow out, there is one familiar name who will be in the wings ready to take advantage.

Aidan O'Brien: runs four in the 2,000 GuineasCredit: Patrick McCann

Aidan O’Brien’s achievements in the 2,000 Guineas are the stuff of legend. With ten wins in the Classic, including four in the last five years, he would normally be the go-to trainer for punters who harbour any doubts about Pinatubo. It might be different this time.

Arizona looks the Ballydoyle number one from four raiders, but the son of No Nay Never was trounced by Pinatubo in both the Dewhurst and National Stakes, beaten an aggregate of over 11 lengths.

Perhaps it’s best to search elsewhere this time, and the vibes about Vertem Futurity winner Kameko, the mount of champion jockey Oisin Murphy, are hard to ignore.

Just the type to improve at three, Kameko annihilated his Newcastle rivals up the hill last November.

Kameko: things could get interesting if he gets first run on PinatuboCredit: Edward Whitaker

He’s by no means as flashy as Pinatubo, but looks likely to stay much further than a mile and has the tactical pace to lie handy. If he got first run on the favourite things could be very interesting indeed.

In racing there is a constant obsession to find the next superstar. It may or may not be Pinatubo.

Thirty-five minutes before we learn the definitive answer with Pinatubo, the hugely exciting Waldkonig puts his Investec Derby credentials on the line in the Listed Betfair Exchange Free Bet Streak Newmarket Stakes, one of seven races – four at Newmarket and three at Newcastle – televised on ITV.

The son of Kingman looked something out of the ordinary when putting nine lengths between himself and his rivals at Wolverhampton last December.

It was only a minor event at a minor meeting, but the stunning surge of power he showed in the short Dunstall Park straight was something to behold.

With John Gosden and Frankie Dettori in his corner, he could well set pulses racing – and see his odds for Epsom on July 4 contract – before the confirmed big guns are set for their Classic shootout.

Race fans, starved of action for 76 days during the coronavirus crisis, have waited a long time for a day like this.

The 2,000 Guineas is always a race to savour. This year, run on the first Saturday since racing’s resumption and with a potential wonder colt in the line-up, it promises to be even more special.

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