By Heather Anderson
The 2000-metre NZ$200,000 G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S. sees six-time Group 1 winner Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) lock horns with MG1SW Volkstok'n'barrell (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at a distance the Allan Sharrock trainee has only tried once–a third in the G1 Herbie Dyke S. at Te Rapa in February of last year. Kawi kicked off his season with a victory in his second G1 Makfi Challenge S. at Hastings Aug. 27 and, although a slim score in the G1 Windsor Park Horlicks Plate followed there Sept. 17, he did not hit the board in four subsequent starts, including a three-race campaign in Australia, prior to saluting by three-quarters of a length in the 1600m G1 Haunui Farm Classic at Otaki Feb. 25, with 2016 G1 Australian Oaks heroine Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) third.
Four-time Group 1 hero Volkstok'n'barrell succeeded in the 2016 edition of this race, as future G1SW Consensus (NZ) (Postponed) completed the trifecta after an unlucky run last March. Winless for the rest of the Australian season, the gelding missed by only a short neck to that foe in the G1 Zabeel Classic over course and distance on Boxing Day and reported home fourth in the G1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile at Trentham Jan. 28. He added another mark to his win column when taking out the G1 Herbie Dyke S. going this trip at Te Rapa Feb. 11. MG1SP Authentic Paddy (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit) was third that day, with Consensus back in fifth.
The lightly raced gelding Von Tunzelman (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) won a 2100-metre handicap at Tauranga Jan. 20 and was back on top two starts later in the Listed Kaimai S. over 2000 metres at Matamata Feb. 25.
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