Kawi chases seventh
Jason Waddell earned high praise from a tough marker after Kawi notched Group I win number six on Saturday.
Trainer Allan Sharrock produced his Savabeel gelding to win a momentous Haunui Farm Classic at Otaki and sent accolades the way of the horse’s comeback jockey.
New Zealand’s highest-rated galloper got the better of gallant rival Start Wondering in an epic clash, the 1600m feature living up to its billing as a battle of two current superstars.
Waddell got the call-up to ride Kawi after Michael Walker was ruled out with injury.
Walker rode Kawi during a spring Perth campaign and travelled from Victoria for the 6-yearold’s fresh-up run in the NRM Sprint at Te Rapa a fortnight earlier.
Top jockeys Johnathan Parkes, Leith Innes [five Group I wins] and Jonathon Riddell had been aboard for his previous 14 triumphs but it was a delighted Waddell who got the nod for Saturday’s mission.
Waddell has been back riding for less than two months after serving a disqualification and the hard work put in behind the scenes is paying off.
‘‘We’ve put in a lot of hard work and the way it’s going, we couldn’t have written the script any better,’’ the jockey said as he reflected on his sixth Group I win, equalling the record of his mount.
‘‘It’s exceeded all expectations with a Group II win [aboard Wyndspelle in the Waikato Guineas] and now a Group I win.
‘‘I didn’t expect to get on a horse like Kawi so early in my comeback - he’s a good pony, not many win six Group I races.’’
Waddell has plenty to look forward to, particularly next-up aboard Kawi in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on March 11.
Beforehand he partners Devise in Thursday’s Group II Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on her way to the NZ Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 18.
‘‘She worked great on Saturday morning and Shaune [trainer Shaune Ritchie] has always had one race [NZ Oaks] in mind for her,’’ he said.
Next Saturday he has the ride on Camino Rocoso in the $1 million NZ Derby (2400m) and the rider warns his last start in the Avondale Guineas should be forgotten.
‘‘He over-raced that day and I think you will see a different horse in the Derby - he’s a horse I have a lot of time for.’’
Sharrock opted for Waddell after considering all his options and had no cause for regret.
‘‘Kawi is not an easy horse but he raced so kindly for Jason on Saturday,’’ he said. ‘‘He raced relaxed and I thought it was glaringly obvious that he’s looking for 2000m.
‘‘It’s highly likely he’ll go to Ellerslie and Jason will be on again.
‘‘The horse pulled up super - licked his bowl clean, he’s into his hay and feed and I think he’s probably going to improve again from Saturday.’’
After Ellerslie, Sharrock is seriously considering sending Kawi to the paddock.
There has been thought of a Brisbane winter campaign or, more likely a Melbourne spring mission.
A lot will depend on what the future holds for his trainer who is investigating moving his training operation to Victoria later in the year.
‘‘After Ellerslie we may just pack up and send him to the paddock for the most decent spell of his life,’’ Sharrock said.