Team Godolphin are confident Kementari can atone for a third in the Prelude relishing the step-up to a mile in the Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas 2017 this weekend.
Royal Symphony remains at the top of the Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas 2017 odds for Saturday in Melbourne. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The James Cummings-trained Lonhro colt byed a shot at the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) in Sydney a fortnight ago in favour of a Melbourne run in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m).
In that jockey Kerrin McEvoy guided the youngster to a third behind Perast, Kementari beaten just over a length.
His only win to date from four starts was a 1400m effort by a runaway four lengths at Randwick back in late May.
Kementari has had two runs as a three-year-old this spring, also running first-up when fourth to Menari in Rosehill’s Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m).
Having now had a run the Melbourne way in the Prelude, and the stable’s racing manager Jason Walsh believes punters are set to see an improved performance when the galloper goes up to a mile on Saturday in the Group 1 $2 million Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
“We missed the Golden Rose to have that run at Caulfield and the way he finished that over 1400m reinforced our belief that he will relish the 1600m,” Walsh told the Brisbane Times.
Since 2009, four of the eight Caulfield Guineas winners came via a run in the Prelude including most recently Long John (3rd in 2013).
In the current pre-field Caulfield Guineas odds at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au, Kementari pays $5.50 to be the next.
Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas betting is led by the Tony McEvoy-trained Royal Symphony ($4), the Domesday colt retaining favouritism despite suffering his first loss last start when fourth in the Prelude.
The bookies are also taking no chances with the Lindsay Park-trained filly Catchy ($5.50), the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes winner set to take on the colts and geldings this weekend after her third in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m).
The other possible Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas contender for Godolphin meanwhile is Sanctioned, the Teofilo colt a $51 roughie in the markets.
If accepted, Sanctioned will be on the quick seven day back-up following his close fourth when two lengths off the VRC Derby-bound winner Ace High in last Saturday’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
The official Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas 2017 final field is set for release on Tuesday morning at 9:00am (AEDT) making now to check out the all-in odds on offer at Ladbrokes.com.au.
