Golden Rose fancy Kementari will take plenty of improvement out of his first up performance in the Group 2 $200,000 The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday according to trainer James Cummings.
Menari, above, is the early favourite for The Run To The Rose at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
The lightly raced Kementari has only been to the races on two occasions for a debut second in a Canterbury two year old maiden on May 10 followed by a very impressive four lengths win in a Saturday class 1400m two year old Plate at Randwick on May 27.
Cummings has given Kementari two barrier trials at Randwick in preparation for his return to the race track for a third over 740m on August 8 followed by a win over 1045m on August 21 and while the Godolphin head trainer says that the Lonhro colt is very fit for his first up assignment, he is confident that there is still plenty of improvement left.
“He’s trialled up nicely and he’s had a very solid grounding for his first up run,” Cummings said.
“If he’s in the mix against these horses first-up, then I’d say he’s going to improve sharply over 1400 metres second-up in the Golden Rose. But he still has the speed to be with them on Saturday.”
“He oozes quality and there’s certainly something left in the tank for the future.
“Until now it’s all been a game for him. Every time he comes off the track after a gallop it’s as though he’s licking his lips, wanting to have a race.”
“He’s going into the race with a reputation built mainly on potential,” Cummings said.
“It’s now time for us to find out what he’s made of.”
The Run To The Rose is a high quality dress rehearsal for the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 23 with Group 1 Inglis Sires’ winner Invader to lead the eleven horse field out onto the track with his stablemate Pariah set to be one of the main chances as well following his first up win in the Group 3 $150,000 TPG Telecom San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 26.
Also highly fancied in The Run To Rose is the Gerald Ryan trained Menari who was also impressive in winning the Listed $150,000 Smithfield RSL Club Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill on August 12 and Team Hawkes’ Chauffuer who finished a game second to Pariah in the San Domenico Stakes.
“This race has the feel of a Group One about it,” Cummings said.
“He’s likely to be around third pick among horses like Menari and Pariah who both returned with slashing first-up wins.
“He’s also going to be among others who are pretty accomplished, like Chauffeur.”
In-form jockey Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride on Kementari (barrier 7) who is the third pick in the betting at $5 for The Run To The Rose at Ladbrokes.com.au behind Menari at $2.50 and the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Pariah at $3.50.
