Godolphin's Kementari (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) missed out on Guineas glory by three-quarters of a length last season when second in the G1 Caulfield Guineas, but the dark bay redeemed himself in dominant fashion with a first Group 1 score in Saturday's G1 Randwick Guineas. Disappointing when 16th of 20 in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. to close out his spring, Kementari had since bounced back with a pair of authoritative wins to kick off the autumn: the G3 Eskimo Prince S. at Warwick Farm on Feb. 10 and the G3 Hobartville S. at Rosehill on Feb. 24, the latter over the well-regarded Pierata (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}) and D'Argento (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}), who both re-opposed on Saturday. Biding his time under Glyn Schofield a good eight lengths off the pace, Kementari began to take closer order rounding the turn and swung for home in the four path on the heels of last year's G1 Victoria Derby winner Ace High (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}). The favourite kicked into gear when shaken up by Schofield and within a furlong swept to the lead under a handride and won by 1 1/2 lengths under wraps. The Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Pierata was a no excuses second off an inside trip, while the G1 Golden Rose S. winner Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) stuck on late after inheriting the lead at the top of the stretch.
“We went back to riding him to allow his explosiveness to be evident when it was needed,” Schofield explained. “Two weeks ago when he won at Rosehill in the Hobartville we were positive on him because of the barrier but he had a bit of work to get across but he was still strong late. I had no worries here today, if I had to go forward I was happy to do that. The pace was so genuine from the first 100 metres, I just slotted in anywhere he was comfortable and he did the rest.”
“I can afford the pleasure to have patience and see what they are doing and when Ace High didn't really take me into the run, I thought my only worry was going to come from the grey horse out the back [D'Argento]. It was very soft in the end.”
Pedigree Notes…
The dual-winning Yavanna is now two-for-two in stakes class with her first two runners, her first foal being the listed winner and G1 Sires' Produce second Telperion (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) and Kementari being her second. The mare's 2-year-old colt, Isilmo (Aus) (Sepoy {Aus}), now has great shoes to fill and has yet to hit the track, and he is followed by a yearling filly by Reset (Aus) and a Street Boss colt foal. Yavanna is a daughter of the dual Group 3 winner Wild Queen (Aus) (Loup Savage), who is a half-sister to the dam of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen victor Sterling City (Aus) (Nadeem {Aus}).
Saturday, Randwick, Australia
RANDWICK GUINEAS-G1, A$1,007,000, ATC, 3-10, 3yo, Open Set Weight, 1600mT, 1:33.72, Good.
1–KEMENTARI, 56.5, c, 3, by Lonhro
1st Dam: Yavanna, by Redoute's Choice
2nd Dam: Wild Queen, by Loup Sauvage (USA)
3rd Dam: Crowning Jewel, by Bletchingly (AUS)
FIRST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Godolphin; B-Darley NSW; T-James
Cummings; J-G Schofield; A$587,000. Lifetime Record: 9-4-2-1,
A$1,368,250. *1/2 to Telperion (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), SW &
G1SP-Aus, A$482,100. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Pierata, 56.5, c, 3, Pierro–November Flight, by Flying Spur.
(A$160,000 Ylg 2016 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale) O-G
Hickman, R Wilson, R Coleman, W Clegg, G Clegg, C Clegg, A
Gianesi, A Merritt, K Ayton, B Turton, T Bonello, J Zammit, M
Aurisch, M Mathews, C Testa, V Sikais, A Carney, Miss T P;
B-Hobartville Stud NSW; T-G D Hickman; J-C W Brown;
A$190,000.
3–Trapeze Artist, 56.5, c, 3, Snitzel–Treppes, by Domesday.
O-Vieira Racing (Mgr: B Vieira), B, Mrs S G & T Vieira, Mrs C
Vieira-Choy & J A Choy; B-Vieira Group Pty Ltd NSW; T-G A
Ryan; J-Tim Clark; A$98,000.
Margins: 1.5 len, 1.8 len, 2.3 len. Odds: 1.35, 4.50, 9.00.
Also Ran: Ace High, Siege of Quebec, Kaonic (NZ), D'Argento, Condor, Capital Gain, Sully (NZ), Age of Fire, Tangmere (NZ), Peaceful State, Tangled. Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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