Godolphin’s superb colt Kementari secured the G1 win he deserved when he dominated a high-class field and gave his sire Lonhro a new star in the Randwick Guineas on Saturday, 10 March.
Under a patient and confident ride, Kementari cruised in midfield for most of the 1,600m of the Guineas before being given full rein with 200m to run.
In his previous G1 attempt Kementari had loomed to win the Caulfield Guineas last spring, only to be denied in the last stride.
This time though, he put the result beyond doubt in a few strides as the field topped the Randwick rise, going on to a 1-1/2 length victory that places him among the best of his generation in Australia.
The win was his third from as many starts this time in, the fourth of his nine-race career and by far the most important.
The quality of the horses who finished behind him emphasised the magnitude of Kementari’s win, with the runner-up Pierata being the winner of a A$2million race and the third and fourth placegetters Trapeze Artist and Ace High both being G1 winners.
Kementari is a half-brother to the Stakes winner Telperion, out of the winning Redoute’s Choice mare Yavanna whose dam Wild Queen was successful at G3 level and one of three Stakes winners produced by Kementari’s third dam Crowning Jewel (Bletchingly).
The colt also became Lonhro’s 10th G1 winner and placed him alongside the G1 Golden Slipper winner and successful sire Pierro as one of his sire’s best sons.
Lonhro stands at Kelvinside, NSW.
