Dubai: Godolphin’s Kementari announched himself as one of Australia’s top three-year-olds with a n impressive victory in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
And with more improvement to come from the son of Lonhro, he could be on the way to establishing himself as the leading member of an outstanding crop when he contests next month’s G1 Randwick Guineas.
Kementari arrived at Saturday’s race with a point to prove, according to his trainer James Cummings.
“This was the biggest test he’s faced and he handled it brilliantly,” Cummings said.
“He ‘s backed up after a sizzling first-up win and beaten some top line horses at level weights.”
Jockey Glyn Schofield sent Kementari forward after the jump to be outside the leader Trapeze Artist, maintaining the pressure on that colt until entering the straight.
“He was there to be beaten after racing outside the leader, who is a G1 winner in his own right,” Cummings said.
“We know he’s probably a better horse when ridden from behind, but he also has the athleticism and versatility to be put on the pace as he was today.”
With 250m to run, Schofield called for a supreme effort and Kementari produced another brilliant response, galloping clear to win by a length from Pierata who held second just ahead of D’Argento.
Cummings will now turn his attention toward the G1 target he’s had in mind ever since Kementari began his three-year-old season last spring.
“Everything will remain normal for him, the Randwick Guineas is his target and we might look at another G1 after that,” he said.
— Source Godolphin
