Racing: Best yet to come from Kawi

Kawi. Photo / Supplied

Allan Sharrock sounded an ominous warning at Trentham to future opponents of his stable spearhead Kawi.

The Taranaki trainer produced the versatile five-year-old to win Saturday's Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile and he's confident the handsome son of Savabeel will be even better next time out.

"He was fractionally fresh and there's another twist in him yet for the Herbie Dyke," Sharrock said.

Kawi will step back up to 2000 metres next month in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa, a trip he successfully mastered in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

"He's a beauty, a very good horse," Sharrock said. "He doesn't do it by much, but he gets the job done. He's probably the best I've had."

Kawi was smartly into stride and rider Leith Innes was able to give him the perfect run one off the fence in fourth spot.

"He jumped a lot better today," Innes said. "I had to come out a little earlier than I wanted, but with 59kg I had to give him a clear run."

Kawi was in front 300 metres from home and he held a strong gallop for the 11th win of his 22-start career.

"I didn't really ask him for an effort until the 100," Innes said. "It was a great effort by Allan and the team to bring him back from 2000 metres."

Kawi has now won Group One events this preparation over 1400 metres in the Makfi Challenge Stakes, the 1600 metres of the Thorndon and at 2000 metres in the Zabeel Classic.

"He's a super horse and he's only going to get better and better," Innes said.

Stolen Dance got back on the fence and once clear she finished powerfully for second with Sports Illustrated a game third ahead of the first day Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap winner Mabeel.

- NZ Racing Desk.