Another tight battle is expected for the 2017 New Zealand Horse of the Year title, which will be announced in Auckland tomorrow night.
Just one vote separated the leading contenders for the 2016 title, with Mongolian Khan edging out his stablemate Turn Me Loose.
A sound case could be made for at least three contenders this year, though it would be a shock if the Horse of the Year came from outside a group comprising Kawi and the star three-year-olds Gingernuts and Bonneval.
A 57-member voting panel will determine the Horse of the Year and the six racehorse categories.
Bonneval and Gingernuts were the standout performers from an outstanding three-year-old crop and recorded Group One wins on both sides of the Tasman.