Friday 24 April 2015 09:44, UK
Pretend is to get his first taste of Group-race action in the Temple Stakes at Haydock next month.
Having proved a revelation on the all-weather over the winter when winning five of his last six races, the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding is to face his first real test on the turf when contesting the five-furlong Group Two event on May 23.
The four-year old highlighted his fine recent run of form when winning the final of the All-Weather Sprint Championships at Lingfield on Good Friday.
Appleby said: "Pretend is going to the Temple Stakes at Haydock to use it as a prep-race for the King's Stand at Royal Ascot.
"It will be his first test in Group race company but there should be no reason why he won't be as effective on turf as he moves well on it at home.
"A stiff five furlongs should be right up his street while both Adam (Kirby) and William (Buick) have ridden plenty of good sprinters in their time and they are pleased with the way he is going.
"I am confident he should be able to make the step up to Group company."
Stablemate Festive Fare could be stepped up to a 10 furlongs with Appleby edging towards giving him an outing in the Dante Stakes at York.
After registering two victories on the all-weather, the three-year old finished fourth behind Golden Horn in the Listed Feilden Stakes on his turf debut over a nine furlongs at Newmarket last week.
Appleby added: "We are tip-toeing towards going to the Dante with Festive Fare as he has come out of the Newmarket race well.
"He travelled well to the dip where William Buick said he just lost it a bit there through greenness. He didn't really learn a great deal on his two wins on the all-weather and that was his first real day at school. I still have plenty of faith in him."
Pinzolo is set for a handicap outing at Ripon on Saturday as Appleby tries to recapture his best.
Having failed to win since taking the Listed Fairway Stakes at Headquarters last May, the four-year old, who finished down the field in last year's Derby, returned to form last time out when scoring in handicap company at Lingfield last month.
Appleby said: "We are trying to rebuild Pinzolo's confidence again as he lost his way after the Derby. Basically he is more suited to smaller fields.
"This opportunity came up for him and hopefully we will step him back up to Listed or Group Three company. He deserves to be at that level but there is not the right race round for him at the moment."
