Appleby faces his crucible at Godolphin

The next seven days could well be the making of Charlie Appleby as a fully-fledged Godolphin trainer. It all starts with Pinzolo, a majestic son of German sire Monsun, engaged in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon.

Goldophin trainer Charlie Appleby is facing a busy week around the globe. Courtesy Godolphin
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Doncaster // The next seven days could well be the making of Charlie Appleby as a fully-fledged Godolphin trainer.

The master of Moulton Paddocks has Pinzolo, a majestic son of German sire Monsun, engaged in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy here on Saturday afternoon.

Wind forward to Friday and Appleby will be soaking up the California sunshine to overlook the final preparations to Outstrip, who runs in the $US1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

It is the sort of global outlook that Godolphin are famous for and confidence is high that both horses can end this European season on the right note.

Pinzolo may well be lazy on the gallops in Newmarket but in two races he has seen off 11 challengers and looks tailor-made for Sunday’s juvenile test on good to soft going.

Pinzolo beat stable companion Sudden Wonder on debut over a mile in August, and that horse franked the form in some style when winning by eight lengths at Newmarket on Wednesday.

Both horses are seen by Godolphin as potential English Derby candidates for next season but Pinzolo appears to be highest in the pecking order at this stage.

“There should be tons of improvement to come and he is the most beautiful horse to look at,” Simon Crisford, Godolphin’s racing manager said. “We have to hope he can improve and develop into a high-class middle-distance prospect for next year.”

Outstrip was third to War Command in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes, sponsored by Dubai, a fortnight ago but Appleby was disappointed by that effort.

“I expected him to pick up better than he did,” Appleby said. “He has come out of the race very well and we want to strike while the iron is hot.”

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