Boss Confident Caulfield Stakes Trip No Issue For Kermadec

Kermadec will step-up to 2000 metres for the first time when he contests the 2015 Caulfield Stakes and jockey Glen Boss is confident that the talented entire will have no issues running out the trip strongly in the Group 1 event at Caulfield on Saturday.

Kermadec has the chance to record a third win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Caulfield Stakes this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Kermadec has the chance to record a third win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Caulfield Stakes this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Trainer Chris Waller elected not to give Kermadec an opportunity over 2000 metres during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, a decision that paid dividends when Kermadec won the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), but the son of Teofilo will have the chance to prove himself over the trip in the Caulfield Stakes before he presses on the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24.

Boss told the media at trackwork this morning that he can see no reason why Kermadec won’t run out a strong 2000 metres in the 2015 Caulfield Stakes, but he admits that the four-year-old faces a stiff challenge against the likes of Contributer, Pornichet, Fawkner and Criterion.

“All the signs are there, but he has to go out and do it, especially at this level,” Boss said.

“There is nowhere to hide and he is going to meet some really good horse flesh on Saturday.

“He’s got to go out there and show that he’s a really good mile-and-a-quarter (2000m) horse but all the indications are that he will.”

Boss missed the ride on Kermadec in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 19, but he was aboard the two-time Group 1 winner in trackwork this morning and he was thrilled with the improvement that the entire has made since he last rode him in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 5.

“He’s probably in the top three horses in Australia,” Boss said.

“Physically he’s tightened up a lot.

“He was always going to need his first two runs and his coat was always going to come through at his third and it would be his third run where we would start to see the change in him.

“Obviously he came out and won well but just looking at him physically he’s tightened up a lot since that run so he should be right at his peak for these next two runs.”

Kermadec is currently available at 2015 Caulfield Stakes odds of $3 and he is a narrow favourite from Fawkner ($4), Contributer ($5), Pornichet ($5), Criterion ($9) and Mongolian Khan ($9).

Boss is chasing his third win in the Caulfield Stakes after previously taking out the race with Sky Heights in 2000 and Ocean Park in 2012.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.