Kermadec Gets BC Mile Berth in Doncaster Mile
Description:
Kermadec burst through down the center of the track late to win the AUS$3 million The Star Doncaster Mile (Aus-I) April 6, Day 1 of The Championships at Royal Randwick
The race was one of four group I races carded for the program, which was rescheduled from Saturday, April 4 after massive downpours forced officials to call off racing due safety concerns.
Kermadec was well back early under Glen Boss and quietly improved throughout, weaving his way through the pack but finding no clear running room in the stretch. A glimmer of daylight suddenly opened and the 3-year-old son of Teofilo responded, getting through just in time for a 1 3/4-length win from Real Impact, with Royal Descent third.
Kermadec was an also-eligible at entry time who made the field after several scratches. With his victory he earned an automatic starting berth to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) Oct. 31 at Keeneland Race Course as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series. The April 6 championships card also included T.J. Smith Stakes (Aus-I), a qualifying race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT), won by Chautauqua.
Final time for the Doncaster Mile was 1:37.61 on soft ground.
The field of 20 was considered to be one of the strongest for several years, with Pornichet the favorite. As the eventual winner was reserved off the pace, Sacred Falls grabbed the lead, with Puccini, Ninth Legion, and Arabian Gold up close. At the half-way mark, it was Ninth Legion, Hooked, Real Impact, and Rudy at the fore the 20-horse field. Real Impact had taken command by the furlong mark until Kermadec found his opening, hit the front 100 meters out and powering clear.
The victory was the third in eight career starts for Kermadec, who was third to Japanese raider Real Impact in the George Main Stakes (Aus-I) March 21 at Rosehill Gardens. His record also includes a victory in the Carbine Club (Aus-II) going a mile last November at Flemington.
Llanhennock Trust is the breeder of Kermadec, who is owned by Neville Morgan and trained by Chris Waller. His dam is the stakes-winning Fuji Kiseki mare Hy Fuji. He was a $260,000 (US$217,802) purchase by Guy Mulcaster at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock premier yearling sale at Karaka, with Wentwood Grange he consignor.