Out to spoil Winx party
Late entry Kementari could deny super mare historic win on Saturday
RACING empire Godolphin is looking to ensure Winx’s charge towards history will be anything but a walk in the park after engaging its best horse to spoil the super mare’s party.
Winx will attempt to set an Australian record of 26 straight wins when she lines up in the $ 200,000 Group 1 Winx Stakes ( 1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
But the make- up of the race took a dramatic twist yesterday when a full field of 14 horses was announced – with star four- year- old Kementari a shock late entry.
Trainer James Cummings said his son of Lonhro was working too well not to have a crack at Winx second- up, after running a close second to Pierata in the Missile Stakes ( 1200m) a fortnight ago.
Kementari’s jockey Glyn Schofield went further, declaring they could do the unthinkable and beat Winx.
“We wouldn’t be in it if we didn’t think we could ( win),” Schofield said.
“Clearly he’s a very, very good horse, so why can’t he?
“She’s been beaten before, so there’s no reason to suggest she’s infallible.
“The whole team has a very big opinion of Kementari, so it will be an interesting race.”
Winx last tasted defeat in the Group 1 ATC Oaks in April 2015.
Kementari has only met Winx once and finished one and a half lengths third to the equine superstar in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes ( 1500m) at Rosehill earlier this year.
His record suggests he races much better second- up with a bit of race fitness on his side and Winx’s regular jockey Hugh Bowman has previously admitted that the champion mare is most vulnerable firstup over 1400m.
Winx eased from $ 1.10 to $ 1.12 with the TAB after confirmation Kementari, who was quickly installed as an $ 8 sec- ond favourite, would take his place in the field.
While defeating Winx would be a major feather in his cap, victory for Kementari on Saturday would potentially open the door to even greater riches, with Cummings still pushing for a slot in the $ 13 million The Everest ( 1200m) sprint race at Royal Randwick in October.
“That’s ( Everest) for another conversation, but his run on Saturday will be a good one,” Schofield said.
It was a disappointing morning for Godolphin yesterday when dual Group 1 winner Alizee was ruled out for the spring after a bleeding attack following a trackwork session at Osborne Park. She was set to run first- up in the Winx Stakes.
“It’s a great shame. She’s such a talented mare who we had high hopes for this spring,” Cummings said.
“Unfortunately there is nothing we can do in a situation like this and she will now have a good rest and hopefully get her chance in the autumn.”
Under Australian racing rules, a horse is banned for three months if it bleeds from both nostrils.
Meanwhile, Mark Zahra has been booked to ride Happy Clapper in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on September 1.