Boost for York as Kameko to skip France and take on Ghaiyyath in Juddmonte International thriller at Ebor Festival
ANDREW Balding’s Kameko will head to York for the Juddmonte International after connections decided against travelling to France for the Prix Jacques le Marois.
The QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner will instead take on Ghaiyyath on the Knavesmire over ten furlongs.
The news will be a welcome boost to officials at York after the news emerged that Enable will instead head to Kempton for her Arc-prep, rather than the Juddmonte or Yorkshire Oaks.
After a piece of work in Lambourn on Saturday morning, the Balding team have decided to keep their star to home soil.
Balding told Sun Racing: “We were leaning towards France with him but it now looks like we’re going to go to York for the Juddmonte International on Wednesday.
“We’d actually made the decision before Enable was re-routed but then I guess it does make it even more attractive now.
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“We’ve got him in great form. He’s got to prove himself at a mile-and-a-quarter, but we think the track will suit him better than Goodwood.
“The trip is obviously a slight question but given the way he’s finished his races you would have to think it will suit him.
“It’s a very strong race, we always knew it would be but he’s a Classic winner and even though we were beat at Goodwood he emerged with credit in the circumstances.”
Ghaiyyath remained the short-priced favourite with Betfair for the race at 6-5, with Kameko available at odds of 8-1.
Juddmonte International Betting (Betfair)
Ghaiyyath 6-5
Lord North 4-1
Magical 11-2
Japan 7-1
Mishriff 7-1
Kameko 8-1
Sottsass 10-1
Meanwhile exciting juvenile Tactical is on course for a shot at the Group 1 Prix Morny in France next weekend.
Balding added: “He’s due for a big piece of work on Wednesday and the plan is to take him to France for the Morny.
“We have to step up into Group 1s now, but he’s smart and we’ve just ticked away with him at home since Newmarket.”