Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec heads trainer Chris Waller’s nine nominations for the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Kermadec is one of nine horses trainer Chris Waller has nominated for the Warwick Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The weight for age Warwick Stakes has attracted a total of nineteen entries with Sydney’s premierships trainer completely dominating the numbers.
Waller’s other entrants are Group 1 winners Beaten Up, Foreteller, Grand Marshall, Hawkspur, Moriarty, Preferment, Royal Descent as well as Weary who hasn’t visited the Group 1 winner’s circle yet but has been Group 1 placed on three occasions.
Kermadec is prominent in early betting for the Group 1 $3m William Hill Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24 but Waller said the he would concentrate on the Sydney Spring Carnival first before heading to Melbourne.
“At home a race like the George Main is always logical,” Waller told Racenet.
“It will probably be his third-up run after the Chelmsford.”
“He’s ready to go to Melbourne any time he needs to,” he said. “If a race like the Makybe Diva is a bit weaker, or the Underwood, he can go down.”
“That’s why it’s important to get that Group I at the start of a prep and then the rest of it unfolds.”
Kermadec will be having his first run back since winning the Group 1 $3m The Star 150th Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 6 and like most of Waller’s runner has had two barrier trials in preparation for his 2015 Spring Carnival debut.
Seven of Waller’s other Warwick Stakes nominations have also barrier trialled in readiness for their comeback runs except for Weary who has already kicked off his Spring Carnival campaign with a second to Burbero in the Group 2 $175,000 McGrath Estate Agents Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 8.
Gai Waterhouse is also using the Warwick Stakes as the Spring pipe opener for her two Group 1 winner’s Amanpour and Pornichet.
Amanpour will be having her first run since scoring an upset win in the Group 1 $1m Cellarbrations Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 11, the second day of ‘The Championships’.
French import Pornichet hasn’t had as long a break after demoralising the field in the Group 1 $650,000 The Bundaberg Rum Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on May 9 with a two and a quarter lengths victory over Weary.
The Bjorn Baker trained winner Burbero has been entered for the Warwick Stakes along with Zaratone who finished fourth to his stablemate in the Missile Stakes.
Group 1 winning mare First Seal is also set to kick off her Spring Carnival campaign in the Warwick Stakes and trainer John Thompson has been impressed with the four year olds preparation to date.
“The Warwick Stakes suits,” Thompson said.
“1400-metres, under weight-for-age conditions will be perfect.”
Trainer John O’Shea has entered two for Godolphin, 2013 Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Complacent and English import It’s Somewhat.
Complacent is resuming after a very long lay-off and hasn’t been to the races since running second to Polanski in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington during the 2013 Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Messene from the Hawkes Racing Stables will be fitter for his first up fifth to Burbero in the Missile Stakes and the extra distance of the Warwick Stakes will suit the seven year old.
