Kameko upset the hot favourite Pinatubo to win the 2000 Guineas (1 mile) at Newmarket – the first British Classic of the year.
Oisin Murphy delivered the 10-1 shot up the centre of the good to firm ground to score by a neck over the Aidan O’Brien-trained Wichita with odds-on favourite Pinatubo one and a quarter lengths back third in a field of 15
Kameko’s win set a new track record at 1:34.72 seconds, beating Mister Baileys’s 1994 time.
Having given trainer Andrew Balding a first Guineas triumph, Kameko is now favourite for the Derby at Epsom on 4 July 4.
Balding, who won the Oaks with Casual Look in 2003, said the Derby was the obvious next race for the US bred son of Kitten’s Joy.
“To me it looks the obvious choice. There would be a stamina doubt but there’s only one way to find out.” Balding said.
“Probably his optimum trip would be a mile-and-a-quarter, but I think for one day only, he might be able to stay a mile-and-a-half. I would be slightly reluctant to run him back at Ascot, so we will see what is on offer for him.
“He will certainly get a mile-and-a-quarter, but there is a certain race over a mile-and-a-half in July that would be quite appealing.”
Celebrating his first British Classic in the colours of Sheikh Fahad al-Thani’s Qatar Racing operation, Murphy said the race is a career highlight.
“It means the absolute world to me. It’s the stuff of dreams,” Murphy said.
“Around four furlongs he got a little bit lost but he came home really well.
“It was a gutsy performance. He hardly blew a candle out afterwards – he must have a tremendous amount of ability.”
Charlie Appleby hinted that Royal Ascot is next for the hitherto unbeaten Pinatubo.
“Pinatubo travelled well into the race but when he made his move he got up to their girths and just didn’t go any further forward,” Appleby said.
“Obviously I’m disappointed as it’s the first time the horse has been beaten in his career, but at least he hasn’t fallen out of the back of the telly.
“He’s had a normal blow after that and we’ll take him home, but the first impression would be to take him to the St James’s Palace Stakes.”