Kameko to be aimed at the Qipco 2000 Guineas

Connections of the Kameko, one of Britain’s best juveniles from last season, have pinpointed the Qipco 2,000 Guineas as a planned starting point for their exciting prospect.

The three-year-old is owned by Qatar racing, an operation who pump millions into British Flat racing but are still awaiting their first Classic winner. They came close when Roaring Lion finished third in the 2018 Derby and Kameko looks another exciting type.

Trained by Andrew Balding, he ran out a highly impressive winner of the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Newcastle in November, seeing off three Aidan O’Brien runners comfortably under champion jockey Oisin Murphy.

Now connections are eyeing the first Classic of the year, rescheduled from the start of May to the first weekend of June. Kameko is a general 12-1 chance for the 2,000 Guineas.

David Redvers, racing manager to Qatar racing, said: “The plan starts with the 2,000 Guineas and we’ll have to wait and see when that is. Assuming it’s as planned, the first weekend of June, that’s what he’s aiming for.

“He’s in all sorts of races and he’s our flagship horse going into the season. He’s exciting his trainer [Andrew Balding] and the jockey [Oisin Murphy] can’t wait to ride him.”

Redvers is keen to see racing return as soon as possible in order to safeguard jobs within the industry.

“It’s imperative that we get back as soon as possible,” he added. “Where we are is a huge advantage and the protocols [for behind closed doors racing] that have proven to work in other countries can be brought across – it’s not reinventing the wheel but we need to crack on.

“We have to make the best of the difficult scenario we’re in to safeguard everybody’s jobs. The sooner we’re racing then we can unveil our weapons for the season.”