A happy homecoming for Lloyd Kennewell and Jamie Kah as the Extreme Choice gelding Meridius broke a year-long drought in the Listed Quayclean C S Hayes Memorial Cup (1600m) at Morphettville.
Travelling sweetly midfield, Meridius tracked into a challenging position on the turn. The last to come off the bridle, Meridius needed little more than a shake of the reins to defeat the well-supported So You Think gelding Thirsty Guest by with the Ambidexter gelding I’m A Dexstar a game third.
Runner-up to Aft Cabin in the Group III Caulfield Guineas Prelude and was regarded highly enough to contest the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. He did not strike a blow in either of those, and wins have been hard to come by since. His last win came a year ago to the day when he was successful over 1400m at Flemington.
Jamie Kah rode the son of Extreme Choice when he broke his maiden at his second start at Sale.
Now training in partnership with Lucy Yeomans, Lloyd Kennewell said Meridius has been racing well with little luck.
“He has been a nice horse to us over the years and had little luck at the Gold Coast (third in the Magic Millions Rising Stars Plate),” Kennewell said.
“He got a 13 out of 10 by Jamie. We always thought a lot of him. He ran second in the Caulfield Cup Prelude and was beaten a length and a half in the Caulfield Guineas.
“It’s good to see him in the winner’s circle for a great bunch of owners.”
Meridius advances his record to three wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $478,640.
A $170,000 buy for Kennewell Racing/Group 1 Bloodstock P/L (FBAA) from the Grandview draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, Meridius is the only runner for Jardine, a 16-start maiden by Stryker.
A great-granddaughter of the exceptional broodmare Shantha’s Choice, Jardine was covered by Tiger Of Malay last spring after losing her filly foal by the son of Extreme Choice.
Meridius is the 12th stakes-winner for Newgate Farm’s Extreme Choice.
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