The anticipation of a solid tempo in the Classique Legend Stakes has swayed Godolphin to start two of its most seasoned campaigners in the $1 million Rosehill sprint.
Trainer James Cummings confirmed Kementari would join stablemate Trekking in Saturday’s race, rather than head to Flemington where he was also an acceptor for the Linlithgow Stakes (1200m).
Cummings said the Godolphin team believed the shape of the Classique Legend Stakes (1300m) would suit the racing patterns of both gallopers.
“We’ll run Kementari in Sydney. We like the maps on both horses,” Cummings said.
“It’s a high-pressure race, a good race, but I think both our horses should run very well.”
Kementari won the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes first-up at Flemington and made late headway when a last-start fourth to Saturday’s rival Big Parade in the Sydney Stakes at Randwick.
Trekking is coming off a midfield effort in The Everest after finishing third behind Wild Ruler and The Inferno in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley last month and Cummings suspects he will enjoy a 100m distance rise to 1300 metres on Saturday.
“Trekking comes out of the right race,” he said.
“He was an unlucky third in the Moir. He defeated the quinella from the Moir in The Everest by many lengths, so there’s no doubt the horse is going well.
“We’d like to think he can bring that form to the Classique Legend and be well suited stepping slightly up in distance.”
A field of 16 is set to tackle the Classique Legend Stakes with Everest runner-up Masked Crusader a $3 favourite ahead of Eduardo at $4.20.
The race is wide open outside that pair with Trekking a $23 chance and Kementari rated at $31.