Kameko set for Sussex showdown with Siskin in classic clash of Guineas winners

The opportunity to determine the dominant three-year-old miler in Britain and Ireland is set to lead 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko into a head-to-head clash with the undefeated Irish 2,000 Guineas star Siskin in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes on July 29.

Plans for Kameko became clearer after connections assessed the best possible routes for the Classic winner after his fourth in the Derby last time, where trainer Andrew Balding, jockey Oisin Murphy and owners Qatar Racing concluded the favourite did not stay the mile and a half trip at Epsom.

David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing, the joint-venture between Sheikh Fahad and his brothers Sheikh Hamad and Sheikh Suhaim, disclosed that “frank” discussions had taken place about how best to campaign the dual Group 1 winner, with the final decision being to back Balding’s opinion on where to race for the rest of the season.

Redvers said on Thursday: “The Sussex Stakes is what we’re leaning towards. We had a really good, frank discussion in-house and Sheikh Fahad at the end of it was very happy to go with what Andrew felt was the right option for the horse.

“The decision’s not final and very much depends on conditions, how the horse works next week and so on. However, what I can say is that Andrew and Oisin were delighted with him after his work yesterday and as a result, at the moment, that’s the decision we’re taking.”

Siskin: wins include the Irish 2,000 Guineas last monthCredit: Patrick McCann

Kameko is the general 9-2 third favourite for the Sussex Stakes, a race Balding landed with Here Comes When in 2017 and Qatar Racing were successful in with Lightning Spear the following year, behind 11-8 favourite Siskin and 5-2 shot Mohaather, winner of the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot last weekend.

A step back up in trip to 1m2f is likely to be on the cards in the weeks ahead for Kameko, who could bid to emulate another Qatar Racing-owned son of Kitten’s Joy, Roaring Lion, by contesting the Juddmonte International at York next month and the Irish Champion Stakes.

As such, the Sussex Stakes may be the last time Siskin and Kameko could clash at a mile and Redvers is eager to test the merits of the two Classic winners.

“If we do end up going down the ten-furlong route then this might be our only opportunity to meet Siskin and we’d want that chance to test the winners of the two Guineas against each other,” he said.

“We want to have that meeting to see which one of them is better.”

Roaring Lion: winner of the 2018 Juddmonte International at YorkCredit: Edward Whitaker

Roaring Lion’s victories in the Juddmonte International and Irish Champion Stakes were two legs of a Group 1 four-timer in 2018, and Redvers believes there are similarities between Kameko and the former Qatar Racing star, who succumbed to colic at stud last year.

“He’s got a really strong constitution, similar to Roaring Lion, who was also by Kitten’s Joy,” Redvers said. “Andrew said to me that he’s made of steel this horse. We can’t wait to see him back on the racecourse.”

Qatar Sussex Stakes betting

Paddy Power: 11-8 Siskin, 5-2 Mohaather, 9-2 Kameko, 11-2 Circus Maximus, 6 Pinatubo, 8 Nazeef, Wichita, 10 Al Suhail, Vatican City, 14 Earthlight, Terebellum, 20 bar

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