No Everest for Kementari: Cummings

Kementari has been ruled out of contention for The Everest with Godolphin deciding not to pursue a start in the $13 million sprint.

Trainer James Cummings says the four-year-old will step up to 1600 metres next in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Saturday week.

Kementari finished a close second in last Saturday’s Group One Memsie Stakes won by Humidor.

Cummings said the 1400m-race had always been the one that would decide whether Kementari stepped up in distance or was set for the 1200m of The Everest on October 13.

“We had a good chat about it as a team and decided to take it (Everest) off the table for Kementari this spring,” Cummings told Sky Sports Radio.

“The Memsie was always going to be the race we walked away from to make the decision, Everest or not.

“He will be nominated for Makybe Diva next Saturday.”

There are two slots left for The Everest held by the Australian Turf Club and a group headed by Max Whitby.