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25 May 2020

Kameko team “can’t wait to get him going” in lead up to Guineas

Kameko

With less than two weeks until the stalls are due to open for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, this year’s Classic contenders will all be tuning up for their big tilt at Newmarket Classic glory.

Last year’s runaway Vertem Futurity Stakes winner Kameko looks sure to take his chance and his retained rider Oisin Murphy thinks the Kitten’s Joy colt definitely has what it takes to play a major part in the race.

Speaking to the Sun Racing Murphy commented,  “Pinatubo was an outstanding two-year-old, he was faultless on the track and the experts say he was the best juvenile since Frankel. So there will be a weight of expectation when he steps out again – the pressure will be on.

“Our horse has done very well from two to three and we can’t wait to get him going.”

 

Murphy continued: “He looks a picture at the moment. He has always been a strong-bodied horse and he has done really well over the winter. He is a relaxed character which has always been one of his best assets. He was a little green at times last year but he always settled well and is a pleasure to ride. We really couldn’t be happier at this stage.”

Andrew Balding’s charge came second on his only previous start at Suffolk venue when beaten favourite in the Royal Lodge, when he appeared to drift right when handling the course’s famous dip.

But Murphy feels that experience can be seen as a positive, rather than a negative and can’t see the horse having any issue with the track.  “He was still a very immature horse when he was second in the Royal Lodge”, commented the rider.

“I think he will be a different beast going forward. It doesn’t hurt to have experience of the track and his first two runs came at Sandown, which isn’t just uphill, there are a few ridges so I’m confident he is ready for that sort of test.”