Meridius primed for Caulfield Guineas after meticulous plan on track
Magic Millions March sale graduate makes Becker and Kennewell’s Gold Coast trip worthwhile
Lloyd Kennewell and his agent Mathew Becker had a single-minded approach when they ventured to the 2021 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale, and that tunnel vision is on the verge of being rewarded with three-year-old Meridius (Extreme Choice), a leading contender for the Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m).
Cranbourne-based trainer Kennewell was similarly single-minded when he and Group 1 Bloodstock’s Becker bought the colt in Queensland last year. The $3 million Guineas has been the sole spring target for the talented colt, the latest stakes performer by boom sire Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt).
Meridius, a $170,000 purchase from Grandview at the Gold Coast QTIS sale, demonstrated talent in two starts as a two-year-old on the Victorian country circuit: finishing third on debut at Wangaratta in May, before winning at Sale in June, for a preparation to be mapped out towards Saturday’s race.
A last-start runner-up to Aft Cabin (Astern) in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (Gr 3, 1400m), a race conducted in cyclonic weather conditions, Meridius drew barrier 16 yesterday in the capacity field of 16 plus two emergencies, after rounding out his preparation with a course proper gallop at Caulfield early yesterday.
“Obviously the whole plan comes down to this week, so it’s good to get him to his grand final on Saturday,” Kennewell told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“I thought he was really good in the Prelude, he was back in the ruck, he came off the bridle, but once he came to the outside, he really hit the line strongly in what was horrendous conditions for all participants and horses in the run.
“The way the race unfolded, it really helped Aft Cabin because he was on speed and there wasn’t much tempo because everyone was being hit by rain sideways.
“Everyone anchored up in front, so I thought there was plenty of merit in his run, that’s for sure.”
At the time Meridius went through the Gold Coast sale, Extreme Choice had already sired two first–crop stakes horses, Extreme Warrior and Tiger Of Malay, and soon-to-be Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Stay Inside had produced two dominant wins in Sydney for trainers Richard and Michael Freedman, prompting Newgate Farm to buy into the colt.
Kennewell also had Abseiler, a Flemington-winning, Blue Diamond Preview (Listed, 1000m) performed Extreme Choice juvenile, in his stable at the time.
“In fairness, Meridius was probably the only horse we wanted to look at (at the March sale),” the trainer revealed.
“It’s rare that it works out that way. You go to a yearling sale with an open mind, trying to find nice types and quality horses, but that sale was completely different for us. We were going there for that horse and we were lucky enough to come home with him.”
The scarcity of Extreme Choice’s progeny, as potent as they are on the racecourse, is well-documented and Kennewell knows stud farms are keeping a close eye on Meridius’ progress.
“People are watching him and some of those stud farms have been in touch with us and they’re obviously keen on the horse, but they also don’t want to jump in too early, either,” he said.
“It’s one of those situations where we’ll let it unfold, let the horse do the talking and if he’s right in the thick of things on Saturday, then it’ll be a good position to be in for us.”
Meridius has settled worse than midfield in each of his four runs to date and, given his wide barrier draw, it is unlikely those tactics will change in the Guineas.
“I took him to Wangaratta at his first start and I thought he’d go there and win, I was very confident in the horse, but he got a mile too far out of his ground and he really rattled home that day on a track that was a little bit leader-biased,” the Group 1-winning trainer said.
“We took him to Sale and he had a really good will to win; he went to the paddock after that and he’s really attacked the line both starts this time in, so I’ve been extremely happy with him.”
Damian Lane replaces Mark Zahra in the saddle on Saturday. Jamie Kah rode the colt – a $15 chance in final field betting for the Guineas – at his previous two starts, including in his first-up second to Shalaman (Shalaa) at Moonee Valley on September 3 over 1200 metres.
“I had a few offers from jockeys wanting to ride the horse after Jamie Kah made the decision to ride Aft Cabin, so we were really keen to get Damian, once we knew Jacquinot was going to The Everest,” Kennewell said.
Aft Cabin’s spring ended prematurely on Saturday, when the Godolphin-owned colt suffered a bleeding attack during trackwork, necessitating a three-month ban from racing, but his trainer James Cummings has an able back-up in $3 Guineas favourite Golden Mile (Astern), who finished fourth in the Golden Rose (Gr 1, 1400m) at his most recent start.
Golden Mile drew barrier five yesterday with James McDonald booked to ride. Sir Bailey (Impending), Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Jameka’s (Myboycharlie) first foal, drew barrier four.
Berkeley Square (Territories) is the $5.50 second–elect in early markets.