Godolphin colts approaching Flemington G1 from different directions

The differing paths followed by the high-class colts Kementari and Viridine have left both with outstanding chances of adding another G1 to the Godolphin tally in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Trainer James Cummings set out a traditional, sprinting preparation for Viridine (Brenton Avdulla) who has rewarded the team with wins at his only four starts, while Kementari drops back to 1,200m here after running in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

Cummings is reluctant to show preference for one colt over the other.

“Viridine was last seen winning the Roman Consul Stakes, a race that’s been used as a lead up to the Coolmore quite effectively in the past by horses like Japonisme, Brazen Beau and a number of others,” the trainer said.

“We’d love to see this horse get the job done as well. He’s a very fast colt and we’ve been delighted with his training. 

“He comes into this third up and ready to hit an absolute peak. He’s needs to have gone ahead if he’s going to be winning, but we feel he’s done that.

Kementari (Damian Lane) faces the task of coming back from 1,600m, but Cummings is confident he can.

“We’ve sharpened him up and with the addition of winkers (cheek pieces) and we think that he can drop back in distance and still produce that lethal turn of foot that he’s got,” he said 

“He’s going to be a far better horse in the autumn and this little bit of extra experience can only do him a world of good.”

The stable also runs Malahat (Olivier Peslier), who has a victory over Kementari in a maiden to his credit.

“The blinkers go on Malahat and getting to a dry track will certainly help him and he can certainly run in the top four in a race like this,” Cummings said.

“I can’t split Viridine and Kementari, although they are different horses coming off different preparations, they are as classy as each other.”