Kermadec’s growing reputation sees potential as a stallion prospect blow out to $20m

KERMADEC could be the nation’s best racehorse — and he has a price-tag to match his growing reputation.

Kermadec ridden by Glyn Schofield wins the Colgate Optic White Stakes race during the Colgate Optic White Stakes Day at Randwick racecourse in Sydney. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AAP Image/David Moir) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

KERMADEC could be the nation’s best racehorse — and he has a price-tag to match his growing reputation.

After Kermadec powered home to win the George Main Stakes at Royal Randwick last Saturday, breeding experts estimated the four-year-old’s value as a potential stallion prospect at around $20 million.

Trainer Chris Waller described Kermadec as a “quality looking horse” and it is understandable some of the biggest breeding operations in the southern hemisphere are interested in the horse.

“He might not be So You Think but he is not far off, just a different colour,’’ Waller said.

“There has been a few ‘sniffs’ for him and I think they (potential buyers) will be knocking on the door this week.’’

Kermadec has the opportunity to claim the No. 1 ranking in Australian racing at his next two starts in the Caulfield Stakes and Cox Plate.

RON DUFFICY: Saturday snapshot:

GOULBURN HOPES: ‘City-class’ High Citadel hoping to makes mark

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TO underline his stable’s deep pool of equine talent, Waller is unlikely to run Sydney’s two best milers, Kermadec and Royal Descent in the $1 million Epsom Handicap next week but the champion trainer still looks to have a vice-like grip on the feature Randwick mile.

Kermadec in full flight.

Waller has race favourite Winx and lightweight hope Sadler’s Lake primed for the big race while he is considering switching talented Silverball from The Metropolitan to the Epsom.

Silverball won the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) last start and Waller used that lead-up race to prepare He’s Your Man to win the Epsom last year.

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ROYAL Descent ran second for the third successive year in the George Main Stakes, with her aggregate losing margin in the three races less than a length.

She has now had eight starts over the Randwick 1600m course for eight placings, six at Group 1 level.

Waller and owner Gerry Harvey are now considering whether to run the mare next start in the Epsom Handicap or the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

A final word on Waller. He trained his 49th Group 1 winner with Kermadec and capped an extraordinary week of stable success.

Waller prepared four winners for the second successive Sydney Saturday meeting, his Randwick quartet all in stakes races. The trainer also had a hat-trick of stakes wins at Newcastle on Friday.

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RACING NSW stewards will announce their findings in the controversial Sam Kavanagh cobalt case today.

Kavanagh has been guilty of multiple charges emanating from the swab irregularity to caffeine and cobalt returned by his stayer Midsummer Sun in the Gosford Cup back in January.

Sam Kavanagh during the stewards cobalt inquiry at Racing NSW. Pic Brett Costello

Stewards are expected to release their findings around 3pm today with Kavanagh expected to be hit with a lengthy ban.

Others involved in the affair, John Camilleri, Mitchell Butterfield, Michael O’Loughlin, Dr Tom Brennan and Aaron Corby will also learn their fate today.

In a separate matter, legal counsel for media personality Brent Zerafa will make submissions against a prejudicial conduct charge this morning with stewards also planning to release their determination of this matter later in the day.

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SOME of the exciting first season sires represented in the 12 heats at the official Randwick two-year-old barrier trials today including Sepoy, So You Think, Helmet, Smart Missile and Foxwedge.

One of the most interesting runners is the Team Hawkes-trained is Ready Fire Aim, a chestnut colt by Sepoy out of Sister Madly who was the Magic Millions sale-topper earlier this year when knocked down for $1.2 million.

The superbly-named Never Out, trained by Kim Waugh, is also scheduled to trial today.

The filly is owned by a high-profile group of Australian cricket legends including Mark Waugh, Aaron Finch, Darren Lehmann, Shaun and Mitchell Marsh, Greg Blewett, Ryan Harris and Glenn Maxwell. Also sharing in the ownership is 2GB’s top-rating breakfast show presenter, Alan Jones.

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REBEL Dane’s exciting comeback win in The Shorts sets up a compelling showdown with Terravista and possibly Chautauqua in the Premiere Stakes at Royal Randwick on Epsom Day.

I don’t want to labour the point but why hasn’t Sydney racing got a Group 1 sprint during spring?

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THE George Main Stakes is going to prove an outstanding form reference this spring carnival with so many good runs outside of the placegetters, Kermadec, Royal Descent and Pornichet.

Two of the better efforts from the unplaced division was the Kris Lees-trained duo of Lucia Valentina (fourth) and Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist (eighth).

Hugh Bowman and Lucia Valentina head out for the Newcastle Barrier trial.

“Lucia Valentina is going great but I’m not sure of her next run. It will be either the Epsom or the Turnbull Stakes or I might wait a week longer for the Caulfield Stakes,’’ Lees said.

“But Protectionist is right on track for the Cup and he will go to the Turnbull Stakes.’’

The Hill Stakes also produced some excellent Melbourne Cup trials including the winner Preferment, Who Shot Thebarman (fifth) and Grand Marshal (seventh), prompting the trio’s trainer, Waller to admit he has never been so excited about his chances of winning the famous Flemington two-miler.

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SADLER’S Lake was a big firmer for the Epsom with his Bill Ritchie Handicap defeat of Rudy but don’t discount the latter’s chances when the pair clash again in two weeks.

Rudy conceded Sadler’s Lake 4kg and ran that horse to a half length but in the Epsom they meet at level weights.