A colt raced by Black Caviar’s part-owner Neil Werrett has staked his claim for the 2000 Guineas with victory in the Craven Stakes at Newbury.
Kool Kompany, who Werrett bought last year after he was passed in for $A1.3 million at the Doncaster Bloodstock Sale, was the least favoured of two Richard Hannon-trained runners in the Group Three race.
Sent out at 14-1, dual Group Two winner Kool Kompany gave weight to his six rivals.
Richard Hughes took him to the front and Kool Kompany held off the challenge from Nafaqa by 1-1/4 lengths with the Hannon-trained 2-1 favourite Mosheet third.
“He’s been a little bit under the radar and people have not given him the respect he deserves,” Hannon said.
“I don’t think there was anything flukey about the win.
“The third has run a good race, but he’s a bit immature as he didn’t learn a lot from his first run and he needed the experience today.
“Both will go for the Guineas.”
Kool Kompany’s Guineas odds have been slashed from 33-1 to 16-1.
