Race Images Palmerston North
Jockey Jason Waddell is looking forward to partnering Kawi in Saturday’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings.
The Cambridge-based rider has ridden the weight-for-age star on two occasions, culminating in a Group One victory at Otaki in February, and a first-up third in the Gr.2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate.
“He was fantastic in the Foxbridge Plate,” Waddell said. “I wasn’t overly happy with my ride on him, but I was tracking a couple of horses in the race that I thought would carry me into it and they just didn’t do that.
“I was forced to take him wide and start my run a bit earlier than I would have liked. It caused him to use that sprint a bit sooner than I wanted to and cover extra ground.”
The self-critical Waddell is keen to make amends for trainer Allan Sharrock and connections and ensure Kawi gets the best opportunity to make it three successive Tarzino Trophies (formerly the Makfi Challenge Stakes).
“I definitely want to pull that one back and give him the perfect chance to make it three out of three on Saturday.”
Kawi has drawn well in barrier 5, providing his rider with plenty of options.
“I’m sure we can be midfield or even a touch closer. We all know he’s not the best beginner and he can get over-racing a touch if you use him up early. There are a few good horses drawn around me to follow, so that gives me several options,” Waddell said.