Kawi ruled out of Zabeel

A trip north for Kawi has been ruled out with the star galloper set for a return to Trentham in the New Year in pursuit of further top-flight honours.

The outstanding son of Savabeel produced a commanding performance there to win Saturday’s Group I Captain Cook Stakes (1600m), his sixth success on the capital city course.

‘‘He’s won seven Group I’s now and he ain’t finished yet,’’ trainer Allan Sharrock said. ‘‘He won’t be going to Ellerslie though for the Zabeel Classic, if I’m going to run him over 2000m again it will be toward the end of his season.’’

Kawi’s quest for an eighth Group I victory – which would draw him level with all-time domestic leader Mufhasa – will centre next month on either the Thorndon Mile (1600m) or the Telegraph (1200m).

‘‘They are the options and we can put the blinkers on if it’s the Telegraph, if we decide not to it will be the Thorndon,’’ Sharrock said.

Before he makes a decision on the Trentham possibilities, Kawi could head to Awapuni to defend a Group II title on December 23.

‘‘It’s a $100,000 weight-for-age race just down the road, it’s not to be sneezed at,’’ Sharrock said.

The race on Saturday week is the Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), an event he won 12 months ago before beating Stolen Dance in the Group I Zabeel Classic (2000m).

‘‘We’ll have a look at Awapuni, he’s come through Saturday’s race terrifically well,’’ Sharrock said.