Kawi ready to rock ’n’ roll

ALLAN SHARROCK has confirmed exciting galloper Kawi will kick off a fresh campaign in the Group III $100,000 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The New Plymouth trainer was thrilled with the way Kawi performed in a barrier jumpout with his regular race rider Johnathon Parkes up at the Hawera track yesterday.

Kawi contested a 1000m heat and after a tardy beginning went to the line alongside three other horses and pulled up well following the hitout.

‘‘He went super and Parkesee was very, very happy with him,’’ said Sharrock.

‘‘He (Kawi)

was

bolting

at

the 800m and went to the line under his own steam.

‘‘That’s all I wanted from him today and I couldn’t be happier with him at this stage of his preparation,’’ Sharrock said.

Sharrock has mapped out a spring programme for Kawi that will see the horse contest the three Group I features over the Hawke’s Bay Racing’s triple crown series starting with the $200,000 Makfi Stakes (1400m) at Hastings on August 29.

Sharrock said there was plenty of improvement in Kawi at this stage.

A total of 17 horses have been nominated for the Foxbridge Plate and the feature will have a starting limit of 14 horses.