By Glenn Davis
Failed stallion prospect Kementari has grabbed a wildcard entry into the $1 million Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast with a commanding win in The Buffering at Doomben on Saturday.
The James Cummings-trained gelding landed some huge bets after being backed from $7 into a $4.20 favourite when he outgunned the Chris Waller-trained Kiku to score by half-a-length with Apache Chase, a further one-and-a-half lengths away third.
Kementari, winner of the Group 1 Randwick Guineas in 2018, stood one season at stud where he had low fertility rate, serving 54 mares and siring only five live foals.
Two of the foals will go through the Magic Millions sales later this month.
Owners Godolphin decided against continuing his career at stud and gelded him after the 2019 breeding season and reignited his racetrack career.
In a brilliant ride from Nash Rawiller, the seven-year-old got back in the early stages before swooping late to snatch his seventh career win, taking his earnings to more than $2.5 million.
Affectionally known as "Special K", Kementari had never been tried on a heavy track but it didn’t deter his legion of followers.
While all honours were with Kementari, trainer Desleigh Forster and jockey Jim Byrne were thrilled with Apache Chase’s effort to finish third.
“I was over the moon with Apache Chase,” Byrne said.
“He doesn’t like the wet tracks and doesn’t let down well.
“He tried hard and was very good. If he was on top of the ground, I know who’d be the winner.”