Kawi Returns in NRM Sprint

The NZ$200,000 G1 NRM Sprint marks the return of Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) to his native land and the 1400-metre trip holds no fears, as the gelding has been successful seven times going that distance in his career. A winner of the 1400-metre G1 Makfi Challenge S. at Hastings Aug. 27, the five-time top shelf winner doubled up in the G1 Windsor Park Horlicks Plate over an additional furlong Sept. 17. Only fourth across the Tasman in the G2 Waroa-Lee Steere S. Nov. 5, Kawi could only manage sixth in the G1 Railway S. at Ascot Nov. 19 and signed off his Australian campaign with another fourth, this time in the G1 Kingston Town Classic over 1800 metres Dec. 3. The Allan Sharrock trainee will have his hands full, however, with the upwardly mobile Start Wondering (NZ) (Eighth Wonder {NZ}).

Start Wondering delivered in the G1 Sistema Railway on New Year's Day at Ellerslie with G1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders S. heroine Perfect Fit (NZ) (Elusive City) second and he missed by a nose to Signify (NZ) (Perfectly Ready {NZ})–yet again one ahead of Perfect Fit. in the G1 J R & N Berkett Telegraph most recently Jan. 21.

First past the post but disqualified to second in the G1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham last March, an Australian campaign beckoned for Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and she duly delivered in the G1 Australian Oaks at Randwick Apr. 9. Three unplaced runs followed during the Southern Hemisphere spring, including an 11th in the G1 Turnbull S. Oct. 2 and the Stephen Marsh charge makes her first start in New Zealand since her Oaks second.

Stephen Autridge's G1 Diamond S. victor Heroic Valour (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is looking to regain that form, after a season of near misses. Third in Ugo Foscolo (NZ) (Zazinto {GB})'s G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas Nov. 5, the bay ran second in an open 1500-metre race at Ellerslie Jan. 14 and was a tough-luck second to the undefeated Volpe Veloce (Aus) (Foxwedge {Aus}) in the Listed NZB Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile at Ellerslie Jan. 29.