Winx-free zone has Kementari primed to win

BRILLIANT colt Kementari has emerged from his loss to mighty mare Winx in the best shape of his career for the Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick today.

Kementari had his first defeat of the autumn when chasing hard for third behind Winx and Happy Clapper in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on March 24 but trainer Godolphin’s James Cummings is hoping that race was the making of his three-year-old.

“After racing so well against Winx, beaten less than two lengths, he seems to have come out of it with even more energy,” Cummings said ahead of today’s 1600m race.

“It looks like he is still on the rise which is perfect given what he did over this track and distance in the Randwick Guineas.

“We feel this is going to be a race where we will see a big performance from Kementari.

“It is exciting for the stable to saddle up a colt of this calibre in such a prestigious race.”

Ladbrokes have Kementari as $3.70 favourite ahead of Happy Clapper at $5 for the $3 million Doncaster.

Kementari has a 2.5kg weight swing in his favour.

Kementari, who boasts the pedigree and racetrack performance to match his physique, is already estimated to be worth at least $20 million as a stallion prospect – not that he is for sale.

When Kementari’s racing career ends – and he is expected to race for another 12 months at least – Godolphin is likely to stand the colt alongside his sire, champion Lonhro.

Kementari is Godolphin’s best big-race chance today but Cummings believes the “Blue Army” also has real prospects in another two Group 1 races on the Randwick program.

They are Astoria ($20) in the $2 million Australian Derby (2400m) and Encryption ($15) in the ATC Inglis Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).