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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Melissa Jones

Kameko should handle Epsom Derby track after Newmarket 2,000 Guineas win says Balding

Andrew Balding is hopeful Kameko will handle Epsom as the countdown begins to the Investec Derby on Saturday week.

The Qipco 2,000 Guineas hero is 7/2 with Betfair to add the jewel in the Classic crown to his big race haul on July 4.

Camelot was the last horse to complete the double in 2012- and Balding feels Kameko has the credentials to earn a place in the history books.

Epsom's undulations and an extra half mile are two of the question marks, but the Kingsclere handler suggests one box may already be ticked.

"He had four races last year and already had one this year and I think he came into the dip and out of it very well this year in the Guineas that he should be able to handle it (the track)," he said.

Trainer Andrew Balding greets Kameko and Oisin Murphy in the winners' enclosure after the Qipco 2000 Guineas (PA)

"There are no hiding places at Epsom, that's why its designed and why the race is run there so if he can’t handle it he shouldn’t be winning the Derby."

Hailed as the best horse Balding has trained for many years, Kameko showed an interrupted passage a furlong from home in the Guineas would not stop him.

Wichita and Pinatubo chased the son of Kitten's Joy home on the Rowley Mile- and they filled the places in reverse order at Royal Ascot last week.

Balding trained Tactical to win for The Queen at the big meeting and has since put Kameko through his paces on the gallops.

"We sent him upsides on Saturday which was his first faster piece since the Guineas and I was really pleased with him, he is just such a professional and I couldn’t be happier at this stage," Balding added.

"We have got one more big piece of work to go and as long as that goes well we are all systems go."

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