Group 1 winning colt Kementari has been installed the early favourite for the Group 2 $200,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Kementari, above, is the early favourite for the 2018 Missile Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The James Cumming trainer Kementari will be resuming for the 2018 Spring Carnival at his first run since finishing tenth to Happy Clapper in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 7, day one of The Championships.
Betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Missile Stakes has Kementari as the $2.25 top pick ahead of the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas winner Pierata at $5 and Egyptian Symbol and Music Magnate both at $6.
Kementari and Pierata clashed twice during the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival with the Cummings trained colt coming on up trumps on both occasions while trainer Greg Hickman’s Magic Millions winner was relegated to the runner’s up stall twice.
Kementari and Pierata finished first and second in both the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill and in the Group 1 $1m Mostyn Copper Group Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick.
Both colts have trialled twice in preparation for their return to the race track in the Missile Stakes and Hickman is hoping he can reverse the placings with Pierata returning from a spell a stronger and more mature race horse.
“I’m happy with where Pierata is after two nice trials. He has strengthened up and has always got his head in the feed bin which is a good sign,” Hickman said.
Pre-post betting for the 2018 Missile Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.25 Kementari, $5 Pierata, $6 Egyptian Symbol, Music Magnate, $7.50 Showtime, $12 She Will Reign, $16 Lanciato, Takedown, $34 Boss Lane.
