Whenever you hear the name Andrew Balding you know you’re in a safe and knowledgeable pair of hands. The Park House Stables, Berkshire based trainer this weekend attempts to follow in his Father Ian Balding’s footsteps by winning this Saturday’s Investec Derby with Kameko.
The thoroughbred shocked all by comfortably beating Pinatubo in the 2,000 Guineas recently with Oisin Murphy on board, resulting in the shortening of his odds of winning the coveted Derby crown.
In addition to the 2000 Guineas, Balding as has notable wins in the British Champion Sprint Stakes ( with Donjuan Triumphant), the Epsom Oaks (Casual Look), Sussex Stakes (Here Comes When) and the Vertem Futurity Trophy twice (Elm Park, and once with Kameko). He’ll be eager for a Derby win not to end up being ‘the one that got away’.
Balding recently talked to Betway about what it would mean to him to take the 2020 Derby prize. Will it be a case of ‘Like Father, like Son’, or will the likes of English King prove to be too strong on the day?
“It’s the number one goal, it’s the holy grail” explained Balding, in reference to the prospect of a Derby win. Can Kameko bring it home for him on Saturday? We’ll soon find out.