Kameko storms to Trophy success at Newcastle
Kameko was a deeply impressive winner of the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Newcastle on Friday evening.
Andrew Balding's son of Kitten's Joy tanked through the race, the first Group One to be run on an artificial surface in the UK, and showed a sharp turn of foot to put the contest to bed under Oisin Murphy.
It was an emotional win for Qatar Racing, who lost Roaring Lion this year to colic. The brilliant flagbearer for the operation, also by Kitten's Joy, was second in this race as a two-year-old.
Kameko was an easy three-and-a-quarter length winner, with Innisfree edging out stablemate Year Of The Tiger for third.
It was a 2-3-4 for Aidan O'Brien with Mogul fourth, while the well-backed Kinross could finish only fifth.
"I'm thrilled for the whole Qatar racing team," said Murphy.
"It's very hard to win Group Ones, it's my first domestic Group One for Andrew. He's by the same sire as Roaring Lion and though he's got a long way to go to be as good as him he's on the right track.
"How impressive was that? That instant acceleration was there and moving forward to next year we can certainly dream. A mile to 10 furlongs I'm sure will be fine."
Qatar Racing's David Redvers said: "It's sensational. We've had an emotional and tough year, to bring another son of Kitten's Joy here today and win is amazing.
"Who knows how the race would've worked out in deep ground at Doncaster, but all credit to ARC for moving it here, it's been a really good day for racing."
Balding told Sky Sports Racing: "I hate criticising jockeys, but I think if Oisin had ridden the Royal Lodge again he would have won that and we'd have come here expecting him to win.
"I was very relieved when they decided to run it here, rather than wait until later in the year on the grass. All thanks to the sponsors and to ARC (Arena Racing Company) and the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) for getting it on.
"I think it was a proper horse race today and he is a very good horse."