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Oisin Murphy looks ahead to the weekend's action

Oisin Murphy: Kameko all class | The champion jockey with Cambridgeshire reflections and weekend thoughts

By Oisin Murphy

Sporting Life Plus

Fri October 02, 2020 · 4y ago

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy discusses his weekend rides, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, while also reflecting on a successful few days at Newmarket.

I'll kick off this week's column with a quick look back on a fantastic couple of days at Newmarket where Kameko got back on track with victory in the Joel Stakes on Friday and Alcohol Free dug deep to win the Cheveley Park on Saturday.

I was over the moon with Kameko's performance, conceding a penalty to Group One performers and still being good enough to stamp his authority on the race and beat them well. He's a top-class horse, with a wonderful constitution, and I see his official rating has gone up another 2lb to 122. He's a fast horse - he won the fastest 2000 Guineas in history - and I'd like to think we'll stick to a mile with him now.

No decision has been made about next season but his owner, Sheikh Fahad, has been very enthusiastic about the prospect of keeping him in training as a four-year-old and given how much he loves his work, and his racing, you'd be hopeful he can thrive next year. He's a brilliant horse to be associated with.

Kameko (right) wins the Joel Stakes

As for Alcohol Free, I was equally thrilled with her the following afternoon. I rode her on debut and she has done nothing but improve since, running really well at Salisbury before stepping forward again at Newmarket.

I hope she continues to progress and while she's very fast, I'd be hopeful she'll stay a mile next season. We'll obviously make a decision on that in the spring but she's by that super-sire, No Nay Never, and she's an exciting filly for next season.

Looking ahead to this weekend and I kick off things by riding Berkshire Rocco in the Teentech Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot (2.30).

In truth, this looks like a great opportunity for the St Leger runner-up who ran such a gallant race at Doncaster. He obviously had a hard race there but I sat on him on Wednesday morning and he seemed well and fresh.

Fingers crossed he goes there with a massive chance and he can get back to winning ways.

Tom Marquand celebrates Galileo Chrome's win in the Pertemps St Leger

Galileo Chrome beats Berkshire Rocco

I have a strong book of rides at Ascot and Natural History would be another I have high hopes for in the ABF The Soldiers' Charity Gordon Carter Handicap (3.40).

He'd been off for a while prior to making a winning return over 1m4f at Chester and you'd have to be hopeful he can keep on progressing.

He's a gorgeous son of Nathaniel who ought to get this longer trip fine and and he looks like he's done well since his last run; I saw him on Wednesday and he looked great.

Like I say, I can look forward to some nice rides on Friday - many of which are for Andrew Balding - and we team up again with King's Lynn in the Macmillan Cancer Support Handicap (4.50).

His run in the Ayr Silver Cup just didn't go to plan. He was too keen, over-raced and produced nothing like what we think he is capable of. He's a lovely horse - owned by The Queen - and we've always had a high opinion of him.

I hope they don't get too much rain at Ascot as that wouldn't be in his favour; he's a good mover who wants decent ground and I just hope he can show his true colours.

NEWMARKET SATURDAY RIDES

Semper Augustus - 1.40

I'm back at Newmarket on Saturday, kicking off with Semper Augustus in the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes.

My fella is in good order but we might all have to play second fiddle to the Archie Watson-trained Mighty Gurkha who has some very smart form in the book, most notably when winning in Group Three company last time.

Be More - 2.10

I ride Be More in the Fillies' Handicap and while this has the look of a very competitive race, I'd be hopeful of a good run from my filly.

She comes into the race in good shape, is not ground dependent and is very tough. She's won on soft ground and when conditions have been quick and I'd expect a good spin from her again.

Veracious - 2.45

I'm thrilled to get the leg up on Veracious again in the Group One Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes.

I was second on her in this race last year, having been on top when she won the Falmouth Stakes earlier that season, and it's great to be riding her again with Ryan [Moore] taking the mount on Peaceful for Coolmore.

I've ridden two Group One winners for Sir Micheal Stoute now and I'm hopeful Veracious is another improving, older horse that this stable does so well with. I sat on her recently and she felt brilliant so it's all systems go for Saturday now.

Urban Artist - 3.20

I rode Urban Artist to a very poignant success at Goodwood last time and would love to see her take another step forward in what looks a competitive race here.

Tim Billington, who was one of her owner-breeders, was a good friend of mine and sadly died earlier in the year. It was a great shock to us all and that's why winning on this mare at Goodwood meant so much to me.

Urban Artist seems to be progressive and certainly won't mind the ground, so must hold solid claims again.

Auria - 3.55

I haven't actually sat on this newcomer at home but she's nicely bred, being by Muhaarar, and Andrew's [Balding] horses continue in good form.

It'll be interesting to see how she goes on this first day at school.

GOSDEN ACES HOLD THE KEY TO ARC

I won't be riding in France on Sunday but I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to watching the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. It has always been one of my favourite races of the year and I think we are in for a fantastic race on Sunday.

Although it's disappointing Love won't be running, I understand the decision connections have taken given this is a filly who will hopefully be around for a couple of years to come. They obviously want to look after her after such a long year and conditions in France are set to be very testing.

As it is, the Arc has the look of a match between Enable and stablemate Stradivarius. Enable is going for three wins in the race while Stradivarius is a superstar in his own right who will obviously stay this trip very well.

Enable wins her third King George under Frankie Dettori

Throw Sottsass into the mix - along with Derby winner Serpentine - and there are plenty of other runners worth respecting, and I'll be interested to see how they ride the latter this time after what was just a prep run last time.

That said, I still think this is between Enable and Stradivarius - two horses I admire in equal measure - and I wouldn't like to call the winner.

For me personally, the next couple of weeks on the track are very exciting as I bid to hold onto to my jockeys' title.

William Buick and Tom Marquand are both riding fantastically well at the moment, pushing me all the way, and I've just got to keep my head down, keep kicking, and ride as many winners as possible.