A challenging spring campaign in Melbourne has been pinpointed as pivotal to rising Godolphin star Kementari’s sparkling return to racing.
The Lonhro colt accounted for his rivals in the Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday, posting a 2-3/4 length winning margin.
Jockey Glyn Schofield coasted the Group One Caulfield Guineas runner-up to the line to open up several options for head trainer James Cummings.
The Group One Randwick Guineas over 1600m at Randwick on March 10 shapes as a possibility while Kementari shortened from $26 to $11 for the Group One Newmarket Handicap over 1200m at Flemington on the same day.
His odds for the $3m Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 7 also trimmed from $26 to $11.
“James has probably got a few options where he goes with him,” Godolphin assistant trainer Darren Beadman said.
“He’s got an extremely bright future. What really showed today was his class and acceleration, the way he was able to put away some pretty nice horses,” he said.
Siege Of Quebec, the $2.90 favourite, led the chasers while Brave Song ($4.40) filled out the minor placings a half-neck further back.
“The trip to Melbourne made him just grow up that little bit more,” Beadman said.
After finishing fourth in the Run To The Rose in September, Kementari headed south for the Guineas Prelude, Caulfield Guineas and Coolmore Stud Stakes.
“He’s got an aura about him, he’s very good in the wind and that’ll stand him in good stead,” Beadman said.
Schofield rode Kementari for the first time in a barrier trial this month and hopes the association continues.
“The way he strolled around them on the corner, you don’t often join the lead on the bridle in any race,” he said.
“The way he came off one soft trial into a pressure race where there some fitter horses than him taking part … he just treated them with absolute contempt.”
