Sharrock praying for fine Auckland weather for G1 hope Kawi

17 April 2015

Allan Sharrock is keeping a wary eye on the weather as he puts the finishing touches on Kawi for the final time this preparation.

The New Plymouth trainer has been thrilled with the four-year-old’s progress toward Saturday’s Gr.1 Manco Easter Handicap, but he is keeping his fingers crossed for good footing at Ellerslie.

“He galloped brilliantly over 1200 metres on Saturday morning,” Sharrock said. “I’m tightening the bolts slowly on him, but he does need a good track.”

Kawi won the Listed Anniversary Handicap at Trentham in January before claiming the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup on his home track the following month.

The son of Savabeel then went north for the Gr.2 Japan-NZ Trophy at Tauranga where he didn’t help his cause with a tardy start. He had to be used early to race handy and went down in a driving finish to Julinsky Prince.

“He’s won a trial since and he will be as well as I can get him,” Sharrock said.

“This will be his last run for the season – there’s bigger fish to fry next time around.”

Sharrock is keen to have Kawi on hand for at least the opening two legs of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown series and his form at Hastings could then earn him a trip to the Melbourne spring carnival.

Johnathon Parkes will again ride Kawi in the Easter while other notable Ellerslie riding engagements include Opie Bosson’s booking for Julinsky Prince while Jonathan Riddell will be aboard Mighty Solomon. – NZ Racing Desk.

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