Andrew Balding’s Kameko proved he can still compete at the highest level as he won the Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket.
The three-year-old had not won in any of his last three outings, but he did start his 2020 campaign with a successful run at HQ.
At Epsom, Goodwood and York, Kameko raced over a variety of different distances and finished fourth in all of those runs.
He was dropped back over the Rowley Mile for Friday’s Group Two contest and he had to dig deep to hold off Regal Reality and Benbatl.
Oisin Murphy looked to be in trouble at one point, but Kameko found a way to win and Balding says he could now feature in the QE11 at Ascot or the Breeders Cup.
He told reporters: “One hundred per cent that was as good as his Guineas win. There was no hiding place today with the penalty and proper, good older horses in the race.
“I think there is no doubt he is a miler, and that was a really good effort. He has done it on slightly slower ground today, but full credit to the horse ? he is very decent.
“I’d like to go to Ascot, personally.
“It will be the owner’s decision. He is a very valuable horse as a stallion, and I don’t want to take the risk that might affect his appeal to breeders at stud.”
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