Racing: Kawi sticks to home turf

Kawi (left) will contest Saturday's group one Haunui Farm WFA Classic at Otaki. Photo / Nick Reed

Time restrictions have ruled Kawi out of the Queensland winter carnival.

Trainer Allan Sharrock has instead decided his multiple group one winner will have two more domestic starts and then head to the spelling paddock.

"We thought about it, but if we went to Brisbane it would seriously limit us being able to get him back and ready for the spring," he said.

Kawi will make the penultimate appearance of his current campaign in Saturday's group one Haunui Farm WFA Classic at Otaki and then head back to Ellerslie.

"I'm very happy with him and his work this morning suggested he's lost nothing and has gone forward," Sharrock said.

"As long as he runs well - and I'm sure he will - then he'll go to the New Zealand Stakes and that will be it for him.

"I think we'll see the finished article next season as a mature 6-year-old and we'll be looking at a couple of races here and then Melbourne."

Kawi has added group one victories in the Makfi Challenge Stakes, the Zabeel Classic and the Thorndon Mile to his record this term, as well as the group two Manawatu Challenge Stakes.

Meanwhile, The Bold One has been retired after a brief but eventful career with his owners now looking to place him at stud.

"He was a very talented horse and obviously the wind operation and a couple of other issues didn't help him - I'd definitely send a mare to him," Sharrock said.

"Who knows what he could have been if he hadn't had any problems," Sharrock said.

• Globetrotting jockey Noel Callow has answered an SOS call from Cambridge trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young to partner Tavago in Saturday week's BMW New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.

He's a top-class jockey who doesn't get the rides at the premier meetings in Melbourne that he probably should.

Trent Busuttin

Callow is currently based in Melbourne but has ridden in places as diverse as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, Mauritius and Singapore and gets a grand opportunity for New Zealand Derby success on one-time favourite Tavago.

The Tavistock gelding started a $2.70 favourite for the group two Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa earlier this month, but was well below his best in finishing last of the 13 runners in a race won by subsequent Avondale Guineas winner Rangipo.

Busuttin and Young opted to bypass the Avondale Guineas in order to give Tavago a chance to bounce back to his best form and have decided to take their shot at the Derby with a four-week gap between races and using a new jockey in Callow.

"I've been thinking about a suitable jockey since the Waikato Guineas and I think we've got the right man in Noel Callow," Busuttin said.

"He's a top-class jockey who doesn't get the rides at the premier meetings in Melbourne that he probably should.

"He rode Werther in Australia for Tommy Heptinstall and we got on to him through that.

Busuttin and Young have also confirmed a Derby start for Savabeel gelding Predator, who finished seventh in last Saturday's Avondale Guineas under Jonathan Riddell, who retains the ride for the March 5 classic.

A decision on whether Animator joins the pair will be made next week.

- NZ Racing Desk