Ruby Walsh believes Kameko is back to his best after the Andrew Balding-trained runner secured victory in the Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.
The three-year-old, who won the 2,000 Guineas at the same track in June, stayed on well to overhaul Benbatl and beat a hard-charging Regal Reality by half a length.
The victory is a welcome return to form for Kameko, who had only managed a string of fourth-place finishes including a disappointing showing in the Derby since that previous triumph.
Speaking on the latest episode of Paddy Power’s now twice-weekly From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, Ruby disagreed with the suggestion that Kameko is a ‘moderate’ horse and feels there is plenty more to come from the sprinter.
‘Moderate’ is being harsh when describing Kameko. He had a penalty to carry on Friday as well when he won at Newmarket.
He went from the Guineas to the Derby, which was an obvious route. The Derby didn’t work out for him, and then he went to the Sussex and it was the same.
He’s been a bit hit and miss, but he’s definitely back on a winning thread now and you can see him going to the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day and being a big live runner.
Maybe he could even get himself a second Group 1 career win as a three-year-old.
That’s a strong possibility now, and it was a good performance to carry the penalty on Friday.
? Kameko – back to winning ways
? Nine races
? Four wins
? G1 2000 Guineas
? G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy
? G2 @ShadwellStud Joel StakesThe Classic winner delivers for @Qatar_Racing, @AndrewBalding2 & @oismurphy in the @ShadwellStud Joel Stakes at @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/sh7a4070EC
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 25, 2020
There’s no danger of him just being a course specialist at Newmarket, despite two of his four wins coming there.
He won at Newcastle on the all-weather as a juvenile (and he also won at Sandown) so no danger of that.
Read More:
- Sprint over to all the top tips and racing previews now
- Horse Racing: How to watch racing for free with Paddy Power
- Placing bets is easier than ever with Paddy Power News’ live odds banners
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
