Kameko Set for Sussex Showdown With Siskin

The opportunity to determine the dominant 3-year-old miler in Britain and Ireland is set to lead QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Kameko into a clash with undefeated Tattersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) star Siskin in the July 29 Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1).

Plans for Kameko became clearer after connections assessed the best possible routes for the classic winner after his fourth in the Investec Derby (G1) last time, where trainer Andrew Balding, jockey Oisin Murphy, and owners Qatar Racing concluded the favorite did not stay the 1 1/2-mile 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.

"The Sussex Stakes is what we're leaning towards," Redvers said July 16. "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."

Kameko is the general 9-2 third choice 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 favorite Siskin and 5-2 shot Mohaather, winner of the Summer Mile (G2) at Ascot last weekend.

A step back up in trip to 1 1/4 miles 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 Stakes (G1) at York next month and then the Irish Champion Stakes (G1).

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 10-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'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."