Trish Dunell
Multiple Group One winner Kawi appeared in fine fettle as he continued his progress towards a new spring campaign with a gallop between races at New Plymouth on Sunday.
The strapping son of Savabeel was never under pressure as he worked at a steady pace in the hands of Jonathan Riddell throughout a lap of his home base. The multiple Group One winner had the better of intermediate grade mare Lucyinrio as they quickened over the final 400 metres and looked to be relishing his work.
Trainer Alan Sharrock was contented with the outing as he confirmed plans for his charge.
“He loathed the conditions today but he had to have a gallop as we’re not going to have a jump-out in the morning like we planned,” he advised.
“We’re hoping to go to the trials at Foxton next, providing they run them, and then into the Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa.”
Sharrock is quietly confident he has Kawi on schedule to create a piece of New Zealand racing history as he bids to become the first horse to capture the Gr. 1 Tarzino Trophy (formerly the Makfi Challenge Stakes) on three occasions, the feature event on the first day of the Hawkes Bay Spring Carnival.
“No horse has done it and it will be a bit of an ask,” he admitted.
“He’s had a good break for a couple of months but we started on him a little earlier this time and at this stage I think I’m ahead of the eight ball.
“He’s a year older and a little fatter inside but the good thing is that if we do have a hiccup then we are ahead and can get him through that.
“I wouldn’t expect he could win the Foxbridge but if he happened to then I’d know we were going real good!”
The Gr. 2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate will be run at Te Rapa on the 19th of August whilst the Gr. 1 Tarzino Trophy will be contested at Hastings on September 2. – NZ Racing Desk