Kementari carrying on family tradition

The structure of the Australian Classic season caters beautifully for the three-year-old, who needs extra time to mature into the finished product as a racehorse.

The fact that the status of a Classic in the Spring (first half) is matched by that of one in the Autumn (second half of the season) means Australian owners and breeders get two bites at the cherry.

Godolphin’s new star colt Kementari is a perfect example of what can be achieved with time.

This progressive son of Darley stallion Lonhro was good enough to be runner-up in the G1 Caulfield Guineas in October, but I venture to say he is a stronger, better colt now, five months later, as shown with wins in the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Warwick Farm, and more recently, the G2 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.

With Guineas targets in Sydney in coming weeks, he is emerging as a fascinating stallion prospect for Darley / Godolphin.

He is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Yavanna, who has already produced Telperion, runner-up in the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes and fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper.

Yavanna is a sister to Night Garden, who won minor races at Clairefontaine and Compiegne in France for Andre Fabre.