Kiwi Kermadec Lands Another Group 1 Mile at Randwick

Top-class kiwi galloper Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo) won a second Group 1 mile at Randwick with an impressive victory in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.

Kermadec (NZ) victorious in the Group1 George Main Stakes.

The biggest success of Kermadec’s career came earlier this year when he won the Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick. His success in Saturday’s race replicated what fellow kiwi and Karaka graduate Sacred Falls (NZ) (O'Reilly) did last year, winning both Group 1 feature miles at Randwick in the same year.

Local bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster purchased Kermadec as a yearling for owner Neville Morgan at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2013 Karaka Premier Sale for $260,000 from Wentwood Grange. Morgan has had success with Karaka graduates previously having also raced Group 1 winner Rangirangdoo (NZ) (Pentire).

“Kermadec was very fit for Saturday’s race,” commented Mulcaster. “It was the right race for him and (Glyn) Schofield rode him well. It was a very good win.”

Trained by Chris Waller, the Group 1 Cox Plate is Kermadec’s main target this campaign and he has shortened to be the race-favourite with most betting agencies.

“He will head to Melbourne now to run in the Caulfield Stakes before running in the Cox Plate,” added Mulcaster.

The Group 1 Caulfield Stakes is the final leg in the New Zealand Bloodstock sponsored Caulfield Spring Weight-For-Age Championship and will be held on 10 October over 2000m. The Group 1 Cox Plate is scheduled for two weeks following the Caulfield Stakes (24 October) at Moonee Valley.

Beginning from barrier 4 with Glyn Schofield riding, Kermadec settled into fifth position in the early stages, travelling one off the rail. Leading the field as they entered the straight was Pornichet (Vespone) while Kermadec pulled out to race down the centre of the track.

Once balanced up, Kermadec charged the final 100m, in company with Royal Descent, and overpowered his rivals for victory by a half-length over Royal Descent with Pornichet finishing in third.

Winner of four races from 11 starts, the four-year-old entire increased his earnings to A$2,577,025 for Morgan.

Bred by Llanhennock Trust, operated by the Hawkins family of Wentwood Grange, the son of Teofilo is out of stakes winning mare Hy Fuji (Fuji Kiseki), winner of the Listed Tattersalls Plate. Kermadec is a half-brother to stakes placegetter Good Winning (Al Maher).

Fellow Karaka graduate and stablemate Preferment (NZ) (Zabeel) won the race following Kermadec in the Group 2 Hill Stakes, his first victory since winning the Group 1 Victoria Derby last season.

The kiwi success in Australia continued in Melbourne with Karaka graduates Bassett (NZ) (Savabeel) and Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock) both impressive winners. Both three-year-olds have Group 1 ambitions this spring.