Stradbroke possible long-term goal for Savabeel 4YO Kawi

17 January 2015

Allan Sharrock is considering a winter trip to the Queensland carnival with Kawi, who impressively claimed his first stakes title at Trentham on Saturday.

The New Plymouth trainer has long sung the praises of the son of Savabeel and the four-year-old lived up to his top billing with an emphatic victory in the Listed Tui – Backing A Winner Since 1889 Anniversary Handicap.

“He showed how good he can be,” Sharrock said. “He’s still got a lot to learn, he over-races and does silly things.

“I don’t want to race him too much though – he’ll be better next season – but I haven’t ruled out the Stradbroke Handicap.

“He gets home hard and he would get in with a nice weight, but there’s a bit of water to go under the bridge yet.”

Kawi missed the jump at Trentham and was locked behind a wall of horses at the top of the straight before rider Johnathan Parkes was able to angle across heels for a clear run.

Once into the open, the gelding flattened out strongly to down Waikaha and the southerner Lockett.

“He’s a very nice looking animal and he did the job well,” Parkes said. “He missed the start by half a length so I had to wait for a bit of luck and once we got it he was too good.”

A more immediate target for Kawi, who has won five of his 11 starts, could be on his home track in the Gr.3 Hooker Pacific Taranaki Cup on February 14.

“That’s an option and I’d love to have a go at the Triple Crown at Hastings next season with him,” Sharrock said. “He’s good enough to run in all three.

“He likes a fight, but he’s got to know it’s on – he’s been caught a couple of times in the past.” – NZ Racing Desk.

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