Racing:Camelot lived up to the hype as he sliced through the field to maintain his 100 per cent record with a hard-fought victory in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Ante-post market leader ever since his brilliant win in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was sent off the 15-8 favourite under Joseph O’Brien for the first Classic of the season over the Rowley Mile.
The field broke into three groups from the stalls, with Abtaal prominent on the far side, Caspar Netscher showing up well in the centre and Redact and Trumpet Major leading the horses on the stands side.
Caspar Netscher and Trumpet Major set sail for home two furlongs out, but could not sustain the gallop.
Settled in rear through the early stages, Camelot and the ice-cool O’Brien junior managed to weave their way through the pack on the near side and were always just getting there to beat French Fifteen by a neck.
Hermival, on the far side of the course, was two and a quarter lengths away in third.
O’Brien senior, winning the 2000 Guineas for a sixth time, said: “It’s one of those unbelievable days.
“We knew from the statistics that Camelot had a lot against him, we knew he had a lot to overcome but we always thought he was very special.
“I was worried about the race and I’m glad I didn’t say anything to Joseph. I couldn’t believe this would really happen.
“We knew he was a very brilliant horse and that he had a lot of speed, but I was worried about the ground and Joseph said not to worry if, at halfway, he was closer to the back than the front.
“I can’t tell you how grateful and privileged I feel that Joseph has been allowed to ride him. I’m delighted for everybody and all those who work with him every day. We are very lucky to have such a horse and many special people who look after him.
“Obviously I learned a lot from running St Nicholas Abbey in the Guineas two years ago and it’s only now he’s getting the brilliance back he had at two.”
Camelot shortened to odds-on for the Investec Derby on June 2nd, with BetVictor cutting him to 4-5 favourite from 2-1. However, Coral have him at odds against for the premier Classic, going 6-4 from 2s.
Ladbrokes, meanwhile, make the son of Montjeu just 3-1 to emulate the exploits of the legendary Nijinsky in 1970 and win the Triple Crown of Guineas, Derby and St Leger.
On future plans, O’Brien said: “It’s like it always is. We will go home and the lads (owners) will talk about it and make a decision. We have lots to look forward to and we’ll take it one race at a time
“You would imagine looking at him (that) the Derby would be a very suitable race for him. We will all get round the table and talk about it early next week. I imagine the Derby would be the race.”
Joseph O’Brien, 18, said: “He has a lot of class and speed, I always felt I was getting there. He got a bit tired in the last 100 yards on his first run (of the season) but hopefully he will come on for it.
“I didn’t get the best run through, I was a long way back but he was very relaxed and will be much better going a bit further.
“He quickened up well. It was sticky old ground and he wasn’t in love with it. He has a good attitude, he has a nice relaxed mind and you’d like to think he’d get a bit further.
“I thought most of the good horses were drawn to my inside, a lot of the fancied ones, the majority anyway. We all discussed it and decided to let him relax and take it from there. He picked up very well from the two down to the furlong marker, he’s a very good horse.
“To win a British Classic, especially the 2000 Guineas here on Camelot, is very special and a big thanks to everyone involved for giving me the opportunity.”