THIRD in last year’s George Main Stakes when ridden by Ryan Moore, Kermadec was back at Randwick last Saturday to win the coveted 1,600 metre Group 1 as a four-year-old.

Glyn Schofield was on board this time as Glen Boss, on for the Teofilo entire’s first two starts this preparation, was suspended.

Just five trainers provided the nine starters on the heavy track with Schofield settling Kermadec off the pace.

Eventually the Gai Waterhouse French-bred runner Pornichet took up the running at a tempo far from breakneck.

Held together, Blake Shinn on Pornichet endeavoured to steal a break at the top of the rise in the straight to sneak two lengths clear with 200 metres to run, as Royal Descent was trying to peg him back.

As the widest runner, Kermadec was lengthening well into his stride and the margin to Pornichet quickly evaporated.

Home by half a length, this was a second Group 1 for Kermadec who won the Doncaster over the same course and distance earlier in the year.

Redoute’s Choice

Half a length away was Kermadec’s stablemate, the Redoute’s Choice mare Royal Descent, having her seventh Group 1 placing, with the Vespone gelding Pornichet a nose away in third.

“I think he has been racing like a 2,000 metre horse,” said trainer Chris Waller. “You look at him, he is a bit like So You Think, just another colour.

“He is an awesome horse that has a Doncaster and ticked another box there at weight-for-age, but I think 2,000 metres is going to suit him without a doubt.

“I think he’s done it now in terms of the mile. We need to get a big win at weight-for-age next to his name. He’s a colt, he’s a Doncaster winner, if we can get one of those big ones in Melbourne he is a very valuable horse.”

A NZ$260,000 yearling from Karaka’s Premier sale, Kermadec will now head to Melbourne where he has shifted into Cox Plate favouritism ahead of Fawkner.