Godolphin-raced colt Kementari has been ruled out of Saturday’s 2017 Golden Rose field and will be prepared instead for a Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas bid over the mile in Melbourne next month.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride Kementari next race in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude 2017 on October 1. Photo: Daniel Costello.
The three-year-old son of Lonhro kicked off his spring campaign on September 9 at Rosehill Gardens running just over three lengths back fourth behind the Gerald Ryan-trained Menari in the Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m).
The Run To The Rose has been the form race to follow into the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) in recent years producing the past five winners of the elite level feature.
Kementari though won’t be given the chance to again frank the form out of the Group 2 lead-up, trainer James Cummings confirming on Twitter on Monday that the horse was already in Melbourne gearing up for a shot at the Group 1 $2 million Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 14.
The colt’s next run will now take place on Sunday October 1 at Caulfield Racecourse in the Group 3 $175,000 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) a fortnight out from the big race, with hoop Kerrin McEvoy booked for the ride.
McEvoy rode Kementari first-up in Sydney and has been aboard two previous Caulfield Guineas winners riding both Helmet and Long John to victory in the past decade.
The Peter Snowden-trained Long John (3rd in 2013) was the last Caulfield Guineas winner to back directly up off a Caulfield Guineas Prelude run for Godolphin, the Australian branch of the operation then known as Darley.
The last horses to complete the Prelude – Caulfield Guineas double meanwhile were Anacheeva (2010) and the aformentioned Helmet (2011), the latter also prepared by Snowden.
Kementari is currently rated a $13 shot in pre-field Caulfield Guineas odds at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au.
The futures Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas betting markets are dominated by the undefeated Tony McEvoy-trained Royal Symphony ($3.50).
Domesday colt Royal Symphony extended his unbeaten streak to four from four last Saturday at Flemington winning the Listed Exford Plate (1400m) first-up.
As for the Golden Rose Stakes odds for Sydney on Saturday, markets are firmly led by The Run To The Rose winner Menari out to do the double four the fourth year on the trot following the success of: Hallowed Crown (2014), Exosphere (2015) and Astern (2016).
The official Golden Rose Stakes 2017 field is due for release shortly with updated markets at Ladbrokes.com.au to follow.
The Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas field will begin to take shape on September 26 when second acceptances are taken.
Now then is the time to get behind your early Caulfield Guineas 2017 tips at the right price through Ladbrokes.com.au.
