The Chris Waller-trained Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) looked on good terms with himself in a 900-metre barrier trial at Rosehill Monday. The dual Group 1 winner–in the G1 Doncaster Mile and G1 George Main S. both in 2015–was runner-up behind Group 3 winner Dothraki (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}). Having sat third on the rail, Kermadec moved up smoothly entering the straight under a tight rein before Dothraki was urged along by his rider to assert close home. Waller is hoping to start Kermadec back in the G1 Canterbury S. over 1300m Mar. 5, with an eye to the G1 George Ryder S. Mar. 19, followed by a title defense in the Doncaster Mile during The Championships at Randwick. The 4-year-old colt was last seen finishing 13th behind stablemate Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G1 Cox Plate last October.
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