Godolphin's new head trainer James Cummings takes the covers off his exciting colt Kementari on Saturday and you sense he's expecting a strong showing in the Group II Run To The Rose (1200m).
The Lonhro colt was beaten at Canterbury on debut by his smart stablemate Malahat back in May but it was his second start performance that got people talking, recording a four-length victory at Randwick over 1400m.
Kementari's then trainer John O'Shea resisted the temptation of a Queensland winter carnival with the JJ Atkins a fortnight later and the colt was spelled with stallion-making targets of the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas in Godolphin's sights.
"He's going into the race with a reputation built mainly on potential,"
Kementari been fitted up with two trials in preparation for Saturday's set weight and penalties contest where he's advantaged at the weights under the conditions of the race.
The @godolphin pair of Kementari & Beau Geste worked extremely well @royalrandwick this morning. Both nominated for the Golden Rose. pic.twitter.com/DzoPHeDVxm
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 21, 2017
"He's trialled up nicely and he's had a very solid grounding for his first-up run,"
"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. 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."
Kementari is a $5 chance at CrownBet and will be ridden on Saturday by Kerrin McEvoy.
Meanwhile, classy mare Ghisoni also returns for the stable on Saturday after being out of action for an extended period of 455 days.
A Group II winner, it's fair to assume the racing and breeding operation believe there is still the chance of bigger and better things for the five-year-old mare that resumes in the Group III Sheraco Stakes (1200m).
Ghisoni's trialled twice in preparation for her racetrack return and is unbeaten in two previous first-up runs but Cummings is cautious about her prospects off such a long absence from the racetrack.
"She's trialled very well and has had an excellent preparation,"
"I picked out the Sheraco as a beautiful re-introduction to racing without having to put her under too much pressure.
"But it's looking like a top-tier mare's race, so this will certainly give us an indication of just how well Ghisoni has returned.
"I think she'll have to be at her best to be beating these mares."
Brenton Avdulla takes the seat aboard Ghisoni, a $7.50 chance at CrownBet.
