Royal Ascot still possible for Kermadec
A stud deal is imminent for Group One winner Kermadec who could still round out his career at Royal Ascot.
Kermadec and his Chris Waller-trained stablemate Press Statement both ran in Saturday’s All Aged Stakes with a view to travelling to England for the famous June carnival.
While third-placed Kermadec showed a marked improvement on his last in the Doncaster Mile, Waller was reserved in his assessment of Press Statement’s fifth.
“It will be up to Vinery Stud whether Press Statement goes to Royal Ascot,” Waller said.
“I’m not sure what to make of his run. He was posted three-wide most of the way so we’ll have a look at him and see how he is.
“There is a sale pending on Kermadec but he’s not necessarily out of Royal Ascot.”
Nominations for the Royal meeting close on Monday.
Waller took Brazen Beau to the Diamond Jubilee last year with the colt second to American horse Undrafted.
He believes it takes a good 1400m-horse to run the tough 1200 metres on the undulating straight courses of England and Kermadec and Press Statement could fit the bill.
The winner of the 2015 Doncaster Mile, Kermadec hasn’t won since the George Main Stakes in September.
But with the exception of his Doncaster failure earlier this month, the four-year-old has been placed in three Group One races during the carnival.
He finished third in the Canterbury Stakes won by Holler and second to stablemate Winx in the George Ryder Stakes as well as his third behind English and Black Heart Bart in the All Aged.
Press Statement’s autumn began with a comprehensive win in the Group Two Hobartville Stakes followed by a second in the Randwick Guineas and third in the George Ryder before the All Aged.
He is raced by a group which includes Vinery and the China Horse Club.