Kawi aims for shot at history
‘‘Mufhasa won eight Group I races here and Seachange won seven. I know Mufhasa won another two in Australia but to emulate his record here is something I would love to do.’’ Trainer Allan Sharrock on his goal for Kawi
A slice of New Zealand racing history beckons Kawi in the new season.
The son of Savabeel’s tally at the highest level stands at six and trainer Allan Sharrock is on a mission to advance that record in the 2017-18 term.
‘‘Mufhasa won eight Group I races here and Seachange won seven,’’ he said.
‘‘I know Mufhasa won another two in Australia but to emulate his record here is something I would love to do.’’
Kawi, who is tied on six of the best with Mr Tiz and Sir Slick, will have early opportunities to move on to even terms with the former two-time Horse of the Year at the Hawke’s Bay carnival.
‘‘He’ll probably go to Te Rapa to the Foxbridge Plate and he’ll be nominated for the first two at Hastings, the Tarzino Trophy and then the Windsor Park Plate,’’ Sharrock said.
‘‘We’ll look at the Captain Cook after that and the plan would then be to freshen him for the Telegraph.
‘‘In saying that, if he came up better than expected we haven’t ruled out a spring run in Melbourne.’’
Sharrock won’t be tempted to have a crack at the Group I Livamol Classic, even if Kawi bags the opening two legs of the Triple Crown series at Hastings.
‘‘I don’t want to run him over 2000 metres, not with the respiratory issues he’s had. I’m not going down that road again,’’ he said.
Kawi stretched his legs on Tuesday at the Waverley trials where he won his 1000 metre heat.
‘‘He looks enormous and I’m ahead of the eight ball going on to Hawke’s Bay,’’ Sharrock said.
‘‘I’ve never had him this forward and never trialled him so early.’’
A trip to Australia remains in the mix for a New Zealand Group performer who has been the target of massive overseas interest.
Trainer Peter Lock said Hiflyer’s upcoming programme has yet to be confirmed, but Sydney was an attractive option for the son of Tavistock.
‘‘We were looking at going to the Foxbridge Plate and then the first day of the Hastings carnival, but they are probably going to come up too quickly.
‘‘It makes sense to go to Sydney. It’s very tempting and a trip over there and a good look around would really help to furnish the horse.
‘‘It’s only three hours or so away and it might be a better fit than staying here on the wet tracks.
‘‘It’s not all about the money either, it’s about doing the right thing by the horse. The syndicate has
already turned down a fortune, we’re talking way over $700,000 and he’s a gelding.’’
Hiflyer has won five of his 14 starts and hasn’t raced since he finished runner-up in the Easter Handicap.
‘‘Johnathan Parkes rode him and said he got to the front too easily and gawked around and never saw the horse (Seventh Up) come up on the inside,’’ Lock said.
Hiflyer had a good break after the Ellerslie race and is now building up for his return.
‘‘He’s on the water walker after he spelled exceptionally well. He’s more mature and becoming the real racehorse we want him to be – horses like him don’t come along very often.’’
Lock’s longer-term aim with Hiflyer is a crack at the Thorndon Mile at Trentham.
‘‘That’s a race I would really love to win and the big track at Wellington suits him,’’ he said.