By Heather Anderson
Hunting his sixth top-drawer score in his second race back from a fruitless Australian campaign, Kawi (NZ) was sent off at 7-5 in the 1600-metre G1 Haunui Farm Group One Classic S. and duly rewarded his backers, winning by 3/4 lengths over 2-1 second choice and two-time Group 1 hero Start Wondering (NZ) at Otaki, New Zealand Saturday. G1 Australian Oaks winner Sofia Rosa (NZ), 4-1 in the wagering, was another 2 1/2 lengths back in third after missing the break.
“To me he was very strong late and looking like he wants 2000 metres now,” commented trainer Allan Sharrock to www.nz.racing.co.nz. “He's class and they played the waiting game and when they got out into the open, he was dominant in the last few strides.”
There were no barrier woes to speak of this time around and Kawi enjoyed a comfortable run up the fence in midpack as Authentic Paddy (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit) and Watch This Space (NZ) (Elusive City) set a decent gallop. Jason Waddell was sitting on go with 600 metres to run. Steered off the fence, the hulking dark bay began picking off rivals shortly thereafter and spun five deep as Start Wondering snatched the advantage and briefly looked the winner. This was not a repeat of the G1 NRM Sprint, however, and inside the final 200 meters, Kawi reeled in Start Wondering with a withering run, keeping on to score handily over that stubborn foe.
“I'll speak to Jason, but I'm leaning toward the 2000-metre [G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S. Mar. 11] at Ellerslie next,” added Sharrock.
A winner of the 1400-metre G1 Makfi Challenge S. (his second) to kick off his season Aug. 27 and the G1 Windsor Park Horlicks Plate there Sept. 17, Kawi traveled across the Tasman and ran fourth in the G2 Lee Steere S. at Ascot Nov. 5. Sixth in the 1600-metre G1 Railway S. there Nov. 19, he rebounded slightly when fourth in the Dec. 3 G1 Kingston Town Classic. The 6-year-old lost all chance after missing the break to be fifth behind Start Wondering in the G1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa Feb. 11.
Pedigree Notes…
Kawi has the most top-shelf victories to his credit of Savabeel's dozen Group 1 winners. He is a half-brother to two winners from eight foals out of the unraced Magic Time. She foaled fillies by Zed (NZ) and Rock 'n' Pop (Aus) in 2014 and 2015, respectively. This is the extended family of American and Irish SW Capture Him (Mr. Prospector), who ran second in the G3 New York 2000 Guineas Trial S. in 1984.
Saturday, Otaki, New Zealand
HAUNUI FARM GROUP ONE WFA CLASSIC S.-G1, NZ$198,000 (US$142,772/£114,552/€135,181), Otaki Maori RC, 2-25, Open wfa, 1600mT, 1:34.60, Gd.
1–KAWI, 59.0, g, 6, by Savabeel (AUS)
1st Dam: Magic Time, by Volksraad (GB)
2nd Dam: Super Wench, by Last Tycoon (IRE)
3rd Dam: Honey Bunny Baby (USA), by Tank's Prospect (USA)
O-A Baeyertz, G A Macdonald, S A Sharrock, G H Phillips, J P
Goodin, B R Sharrock & T Kemp; B-Mrs C M & J P Goodin,
Central, NZ; T-S A Sharrock; J-J L Waddell; NZ$118,750.
Lifetime Record: 31-14-6-2, A$1,059,605. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
*Triple Plus*.
2–Start Wondering, 59.0, g, 6, Eighth Wonder–Roseanbar, by Al
Akbar (AUS). O-Mrs J M & S B Gudsell; B-I G Hadfield, Central,
NZ; T-E & J Rayner; J-J Parkes; NZ$38,000.
3–Sofia Rosa, 57.0, m, 4, Makfi (GB)–Bislieri (AUS) , by Encosta
de Lago (AUS). (NZ$65,000 Ylg 2014 NZB National Yearling
Sale). O-Jml Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr L Petagna); B-G Harvey,
Auckland, NZ; T-S B Marsh; J-D S Johnson; NZ$19,000.
Margins: 0.8 len, 3.3 len, 3.4 len
Also Ran: Mighty Solomon, Maybe Miami, Authentic Paddy, Prince of Passion, Watch This Space, Iamishwara.
Click for the Racing Post result, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. NZ Racing Video.
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