Second Group 1 Win For Teofilo’s Kermadec (NZ)

Last years G1 Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec added another Group 1 score to his young 11-race career when taking Saturday’s George Main at third asking. Kermadec signaled he had a top-level effort in him when finishing fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, in his Group 1 debut in the Mar. 7 G1 Australian Guineas, and he went one placing better against elders next out in the G1 George Ryder S. two weeks later. Let go at 7-1 for the prestigious Doncaster at The Championships Apr. 6, Kermadec scored by nearly two lengths, and was subsequently shelved for the winter. Brought back over 1400 meters for the G2 Warwick S. over this strip Aug. 22, the now 4-year-old finished fifth behind stablemate Royal Descent and Pornichet, and had Royal Descent behind him in third–and Pornichet in sixth–when he was second in the G2 Chelmsford S. over this track and trip Sept. 5. Struggling to find cover while racing midpack and wide early, Kermadec eventually settled in behind the Godolphin runner Sweynesse while Pornichet set the early tempo and Royal Descent sat just off his heels in third. Kermadec looked full of fuel under Glyn Schofield–who was subbing for suspended regular rider Glen Boss–as the field swung into the straight, and he swept down the center of the track under mostly hand urging to overtake Royal Descent–who once again had to settle for second in a top-flight contest–and Pornichet in the dying strides. Trainer Chris Waller told Racing and Sports Kermadec would have some big-race targets in Melbourne.

“He’s a very good horse,” Waller said. “He’s lightly raced–there [were] genuine excuses last start in a good race. More things went his way today but he didn’t have it perfect; he got caught wide in the early stages, but he was strong that last 200 meters so that was good heading towards I guess the [Oct. 10 G1] Caulfield S. and the [Oct. 24 G1] Cox Plate.”

“I think he’s done it now in terms of the mile,” Waller added. “We need to get a big win at weight-for-age next to his name. He’s a colt, he’s a Doncaster winner; if we can get one of those big ones in Melbourne he is a very valuable horse.”

Saturday, Randwick, Australia
GEORGE MAIN S.-G1, A$505,000, ATC, 9-19, 3yo/up, Open Weight For Age, 1600mT, 1:37.70, sf.
1–KERMADEC (NZ) , 58.5, c, 4, by Teofilo (IRE)
1st Dam: Hy Fuji (SW-Aus), by Fuji Kiseki (JPN)
2nd Dam: Hysterical (NZ), by Wolverton (IRE)
3rd Dam: Formal Invitation (IRE), by Be My Guest (USA)
(NZ$260,000 Ylg 2013 NZB National Yearling Sale)
O-N Morgan; B-Llanhennock Trust, Waikato, NZ; T-C
J Waller; J-G Schofield; A$305,000. Lifetime Record:
11-4-2-2, A$2,577,025. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Royal Descent, 57.0, m, 6, Redoute’s Choice–Mulan
Princess (NZ), by Kaapstad (NZ) . O-G Harvey; B-Mr
G Harvey NSW; T-C J Waller; J-J Bowman;
A$100,000.
3–Pornichet (FR), 59.0, c, 4, Vespone (IRE)–Porza (FR),
by Septieme Ciel (USA) . (£425,000 RH 2014 Goffs
London) O-Mt Hallowell Stud (Mgr: C Thompson),
Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia (Mgr: K Maloney),
Nick Vass Bloodstock (Mgr: N Vass), Mrs A Vass,
Henderson Racing & Breeding (Mgr: D Henderson;
B-Mr H Honore & M M E C Rouxel, FR; T-Ms G
Waterhouse; J-B Shinn; A$50,000.

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Margins: 0.5 len, 0.6 len, 2.6 len. Odds: 1.35, 4.00, 5.50. Also Ran: Lucia Valentina (NZ), Kirramosa (NZ), Sweynesse, Hauraki, Protectionist (GER), Hooked.
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.