Kementari ready for Group Two test

The dazzling glimpse of form shown by Godolphin colt Kementari in his first preparation will be put under close scrutiny on Saturday when he resumes in the G2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill.

Kementari (James Cummings/Kerrin McEvoy) stamped himself a colt of superior ability with a four-length Randwick win at the second of his only two starts.

While he has done everything right in the three months since, trainer James Cummings is approaching his return to racing with an open mind.

“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.”

Kementari provided a preliminary answer to that question with a comfortable barrier trial win last month, and has continued to please the training team.

“He’s trialled up nicely and he’s had a very solid grounding for his first up run. But 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 Chauffer.”

While he respects his opposition, Cummings welcomes the opportunity to test the son of Lonhro against the top rank.

“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 (G1) Golden Rose. But he still has the speed to be with them on Saturday,” he said.

“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.”

Should he come through Saturday’s assignment as well as expected, Kementari will go to the G1 Golden Rose, a race in which Godolphin and its founder, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, have an outstanding record.

The Godolphin-owned colts Exosphere and Astern won the most recent renewals of the race and now stand as Darley stallions in the Hunter Valley.

Epaulette in 2012 and Denman in 2009 both carried Sheikh Mohammed’s maroon and white colours to victory, while Cummings scored with Hallowed Crown in 2014, with all three colts going on to become Darley stallions.