The last start Linlithgow Stakes winner Kemalpasa did not give supporters that backed him into favouritism a moment of concern in Saturday’s Group III Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown.
Sent straight to the front by Craig Williams, the 5yo gelded son of Magnus kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Order Of Command (Squamosa) by a length. It was a replay of the Linlithgow Stakes when Order Of Command chased Kemalpasa home.
It was the fourth stakes win for Kemalpasa advancing his record to eleven wins, six seconds and three thirds from 29 starts with earnings of $830,750.
Speaking from Adelaide, co-trainer Richard Jolly was concerned about how the track was playing.
“I was a bit worried that the leaders in the first two races got run over and that the winners came down the centre of the track,” Jolly said.
“I didn’t know if we wanted to be leading today. But he got it pretty easy, and when he kicked at the 200 (metres), he does not like anything to pass him.
“He is flying at the moment.”
A $140,000 Magic Millions purchase for Richard Jolly from the Kulani Park draft, Kemalpasa runs in the well-known colours of Neville Morgan.
The handsome chestnut son of Magnus has been a model of consistency. He is the first foal of Yarra Bank, a half-sister by Bianconi (USA) to stakes-winner Honest Politician.
Yarra Bank also has a two-year-old colt by Magnus who was purchased by Mark Ganderton for $50,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
Yarra Bank was covered by Impending last spring and foaled a filly on Septemsber 18.
The sire of 22 stakes-winners, Magnus stands at Sun Stud at a fee of $15,400.
