Racing: Kawi takes first step to triple glory

Kawi is too strong for Ryan Mark in the Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings on Saturday. Photo / Thinkstock

Trainer confident his talented 5-Y-O is on track to notch a piece of spring history.

If Allan Sharrock is right - and he almost certainly is - then how can they stop Kawi creating history by winning the last two legs of the Hastings spring treble?

It's not WHO can beat the Taranaki Terror in the Windsor Park and the Livamol, but simply HOW can they beat him?

Sharrock has said all along that the first leg, Saturday's Makfi Challenge, would be the most difficult of the three legs to win. That was obvious - Kawi, despite his run in the 1200m Foxbridge Plate, was underdone for Saturday because it was critical to not be on the knife edge of full fitness with two important races coming up.

Sharrock judged it with finesse. Kawi loomed up under Leith Innes at the 350m and was never in doubt, winning with probably a bit left in the bin.

The 1600m and 2000 distances left in the treble will suit better. But, make no mistake, this will be no walk in the park.

Many have tried, and none have succeeded in winning the treble. It's well recorded that Australian Derby winner Starcraft came closest, winning the first two legs then not being able to complete the grand slam.

There are huge reasons why it's difficult to achieve. Many do not understand the wear and tear on every facet of a horse continually racing at group one level. It's tough and eventually it can take a toll.

There are only a few horses who can succeed at 1400m, 1600m then 2000m. It is extremely difficult to prepare a horse for that assignment, even if the equine body suggests it might be possible.

If you don't believe that, wind back to Starcraft running down the talented Miss Potential in the old Mudgway Stakes early in the treble. She was a mean she-cat to grab when she led close to home, yet Starcraft, from an impossible mid-field and wide position, caught her comfortably.

As good as that was he couldn't win the final leg.

Sharrock has shown he's one of the finest preparing a horse for a specific top-class target. The Taranaki horseman will need every bit of that talent to get Kawi over the line in his next two races.

The exciting factor for everyone is that we have another genuine top-class performer here to watch. Almost certainly, like It's A Dundeel and Volkstok'n'barrell, he will end up campaigning in Australia for the big money. Let's enjoy him while he's here and champion him.

Tip: Serious Satire will end up our champion 3-year-old filly at season's end. Yes, it's a long way to go, but this is a filly with ability like her dam Zarzuela.

Tip 2: How many sprints this year is Ryan Mark going to win? His second to Kawi was spectacular.

One down, two to go
•Kawi is safely on the way to winning the spring triple crown at Hastings after his victory on Saturday.
•Trainer Allan Sharrock said the Makfi Stakes over 1400m was the event he was most concerned about.
•Kawi now has the Windsor Park Stakes (1600m) on his agenda then the Livamol Classic (2000m).