Kermadec & Pornichet Included In Barrier Trial Acceptances

Kermadec and Pornichet are among a number of 2015 Spring Racing Carnival contenders that have been included in the acceptances for the Friday’s barrier trials at Royal Randwick.

Pornichet will make the first public appearance since his Doomben Cup victory when he contests a barrier trial at Royal Randwick on Friday. Photo by: Steve Hart

Pornichet will make the first public appearance since his Doomben Cup victory when he contests a barrier trial at Royal Randwick on Friday. Photo by: Steve Hart

Pornichet has not been seen at the races since he claimed his maiden Group 1 victory with a dominant display in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane on May 9 and he is set to take on the likes of Disclaimer, Excess Knowledge and Saintly Lad in a barrier trial over 1200 metres.

The imported galloper started his autumn preparation with slightly disappointing efforts in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 and the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14, but he returned to winning form in the Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on March 28 before he finished a more than credible fifth in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 6.

Pornichet missed out on a start in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 23 and he instead took out the Toowoomba Cup (2150m) a week later ahead of his memorable Doomben Cup triumph.

Kermadec is the other Group 1 winner that has been included in the barrier trial acceptances and is a chance of facing the likes of Burning Passion, Herne’s Oak, Solar Sky and Stevie Boy in the  18th barrier trial of the morning over 740 metres.

Plenty was expected of Kermadec during his autumn campaign and he started his preparation with a credible fourth in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 7 and he finished a very close third behind Hallowed Crown and Sweynesse in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 21.

Kermadec went into the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 7 as a clear favourite, but he could finish no better than fourth after being blocked for a run in the straight and he had no luck when third behind Real Impact and Criterion in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1600m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.

The Teofilo entire originally looked as though he was going to miss out on a place in the Doncaster Mile, but he earnt a start in the race following the scratchings of It’s Somewhat and Moriarty and he took advantage of the opportunity to record an impressive victory.

Imported galloper Auvray, Gai Waterhouse-trained Greatwood and the well-bred Woodbine have been included in the nominations for the opening barrier trial over 1200 metres, while of Burbero and It’s Somewhat will trial over 1050 metres in the third heat.

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.