Kermadec nearing top for 2015 Caulfield Stakes

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Kermadec was an unlucky fourth to Wandjina in the Group I Australian Guineas at his last Melbourne outing in March but announced himself as a top-liner when he defeated the older horses in the Doncaster Mile two starts later.

The Chris Waller-trained entire notched another Group I success with a big performance in the George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 19.

Jockey Glen Boss missed the George Main Stakes ride through suspension but resumes his partnership with Kermadec in Saturday's weight-for-age feature. Boss watched on as Glyn Schofield steered Kermadec to his George Main Stakes win.

"Visually it looked impressive because he was three-wide all the way and he only slotted in for about 100m,” Boss said.

Boss rode Kermadec in a light gallop over 1000m with his stablemate, Caulfield Guineas favourite Press Statement, to have a look at the Caulfield circuit before their respective assignments.

The triple Melbourne Cup-winning rider said Kermadec had no trouble with the track while the George Main Stakes effort had the son of Teofilo in terrific condition for the Caulfield Stakes.

"He was good this morning. He looks tight now and he looks ready,” Boss said. "That last run was always going to tighten him right up and it certainly did so.

"It is the perfect Cox Plate prep with three weeks from his last run and two weeks to the Cox Plate.”

Kermadec will face a maximum of eight rivals in the Caulfield Stakes, including the top local galloper Fawkner, but Boss said the looming tactical battle would not be an issue for the four-year-old.

"It won't matter with him. He goes wherever you want,” Boss said. "He doesn't know he's a bull but he's a beautiful horse.

"He's a lovely horse. He's a gentleman to ride. He just sits wherever you want him to and he's just push-button.

"I've always thought the 2000m would be great for him. He'll be hard to beat on Saturday.”

Kermadec is the $3 favourite in early pre-final field markets for the Caulfield Stakes.

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