KAMEKO is to be sent into battle once more in Friday’s Group 2 Joel Stakes.
Andrew Balding’s Guineas winner will drop back to a mile at Newmarket after his Juddmonte International fourth at York.
And his trainer thinks it could bring out the best in him as he is set to clash with Saeed bin Suroor’s Benbatl.
Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy will have to hop off Benbatl to ride Qatar Racing’s Kameko and it means Frankie Dettori gets the call up on Suroor’s star.
Balding told Sun Racing: “The plan’s to go to Newmarket as we need to get a run in before Champions Day.
“He had a hard race at York, but he’s back to his best now at home.
“He’s back to a mile now and that’s a positive I think. His Guineas win was clearly his standout effort and his Sussex Stakes run was probably next best.
“We were running out of places to go but this race works well and while he has to carry a penalty against some smart horses, we’re hopeful.”
Coral make Benbatl the 3-1 favourite with Kameko a 7-2 chance and James Tate’s Top Rank 5-1.
Joel Stakes Betting
Coral Bet:
Benbatl 3-1
Kameko 7-2
Top Rank 5-1
Tilsit 6-1
Regal Reality 8-1
Dark Vision 12-1
Global Giant 12-1
Sir Busker 12-1
Meanwhile stablemate Tactical will take his chance in Saturday’s Group 1 Middle Park Stakes.
Balding added: “He got stuck in the ground a bit in France.
“His previous form has worked out well though and he should bounce back on a better surface.
“It’s another red-hot race but we’ve always liked this horse and he’s a Royal Ascot and a July Stakes winner.”
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