At this time of year in Europe lightly raced three year-olds with classic aspirations are well worth taking note of and a Juddmonte homebred Kingman colt that bolted in last night at Kempton Park has been priced as short as 6-1 for the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas.
Cosmic Year won his only start last year at Sandown for the Harry Charlton stable and was a red hot favourite when returning in a 7f novice on the all weather track with Oisin Murphy in the saddle.
He was quite clearly in a different class and romped away to win by five lengths.
“We knew looking at the race there was no pace and that we weren't going to make the running as we'd learn nothing if we did,” said Harry Charlton.
“The thing to take away from it I thought was they walked round and Cosmic Year is never going to pick up the bridle. He just lobs round behind them and if you've got a horse that's been doing fast work at home they often can be keen, but he never thought about it. I said to Oisin (Murphy])to teach him something in the final furlong.”
Well worth a listen is the full interview with Harry Charlton, whose brother Tom is the training partner of John O’Shea in Sydney.
Cosmic Year is a half-brother to Group II winner Time Test and full brother to Group III winner Tempus being one of eight winners from 10 to race from Group I winning Dansili mare Passage of Time, a half-sister to Group I winner Timepiece.