Kermadec New Warwick Stakes Favourite

Kermadec has been backed into 2015 Warwick Stakes odds of $4.60 following the scratching of First Seal and he is set to start the Group 2 event at Royal Randwick this afternoon as favourite.

Kermadec is currently on top of 2015 Warwick Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart

Kermadec is currently on top of 2015 Warwick Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart

Kermadec made a frustrating start to his autumn preparation and he was unlucky not to record race wins in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 21, the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 7 and the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500n) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 before he finally broke through for a maiden win at the highest level of racing in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 6.

Trainer Chris Waller does not believe that Kermadec has made a great deal of physical improvement ahead of his return to racing in the Warwick Stakes, but be believes that the race sense of the Teofilo colt improves every time that he is seen at the races.

“He has always been quiet a mature and masculine horse,” Waller told Sky Racing HQ.

“His race sense is one that is always going to improve as he gets more racing because he has only had six or seven starts.

“I think we saw a pretty good performance in the Doncaster, but prior to that he just did a few little things wrong and hopefully that is not the case this preparation.

“That is probably the only problem, that he can be a little bit slow away.”

Kermadec has not been seen at the races since he took out the Doncaster Mile and he wasn’t asked to do a great deal in two barrier trials at Rosehill Gardens on July 21 and Royal Randwick on July 31.

The four-year-old looked like he still had plenty of improvement left in him when he took part in an exhibition gallop between races at Royal Randwick last weekend, but Waller is confident that the Group 1 winner is forward enough to run well in the Warwick Stakes.

“Today is not grand final day and is far from it, but with a colt like him you kind of have to have them fairly forward to hold their value and hold the pedestal you have put them on,” Waller said.

“We have done enough to make sure that he is pretty forward for today.”

Kermadec has been backed from $6.50 into $4.60 after First Seal was scratched this morning and is now a clear favourite from Godolphin-owned It’s Somewhat ($5), stablemate Royal Descent ($5.50), Missile Stakes winner Burbero ($6), Doomben Cup winner Pornichet ($7) and Team Hawkes-trained Messene ($9.50).

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.