Last weekend impressive 5yo gelding
KAWI became the tenth (10th) individual Group 1 winner by Zabeel’s outstanding son SAVABEEL with his win in the
Makfi Challenge Stakes, New Zealand’s first G1 race of the season run at Hastings.
Kawi wins the Makfi Challenge
Kawi settled midfield in fast run race, making a run from the 500m in the middle of the track to run down and defeat the leader Ryan Mark (by Thorn Park) and Ginner Hart.
”He’s a lovely horse to ride and there was a bit of speed on before they steadied at the 700 metre mark when I crept forward and he did the rest,” Innes said.
"He won pretty easily in the end.”
Kawi’s trainer Allan Sharrock was full of praise for his rider Leith Innes.
“I’d have to give him ten out ten for the ride. It was a great ride.
“He cantered up to Ryan Mark, who had a good kick but Kawi won’t lay down. He just kept coming.
“It’s a great thrill, winning a Group One, but there’s still a bit of improvement in him yet.”
Sharrock made a bold prediction when suggesting that of the three races in the spring “Triple Crown at Hastings” the Makfi was in his opinion going to be the most difficult to win.
“I’m feeling pretty confident about the next two” he said.
Allan Sharrock fancies his chances of claiming a slice of New Zealand racing history with his stable star Kawi.
A Hawke’s Bay clean sweep has never been achieved with Starcraft going closest in 2004 when he won the opening two races before he ran second in the closing event.
Sharrock has always maintained the Makfi at 1400 metres would be the most difficult for Kawi and the gelding would be more potent over the mile of the Gr1 Windsor Park Plate and the 2000 metre trip of the Gr1 Livamol Classic.
"I probably should have put in a nomination for the Cox Plate as well, but the euphoria of that day might upset him,” Sharrock said.
"We’ll wait for the Australian Cup in the autumn.”
Kawi won his seventh race in sixteen outings and has only been out of the first four twice in that time (including a fifth after being relegated from second). This took his earnings well beyond the NZ$300,000 mark.
It was his first win at G1 and under the WFA scale versus all comers.
A sharp surge near the home turn saw the 5yo gelding loom large centre track turning in before unleashing into second at the 200m.
He picked up Ryan Mark inside the final 100m and won by over a length with plenty left in the tank.
Kawi is the third winner from as many to race out of the Volksraad mare Magic Time, and is only the second stakes winner in the first four generations in the family. The other was Capture Him (Mr Prospector), a Listed winner in Ireland in the 1980s out of his fourth dam.
This yet another example how New Zealand’s Champion Sire continues to uplift mares to produce Stakes Class progeny.
SAVABEEL has now produced 296 Winners, 42 Individual Stakes Winners (10 at Group 1 level) winning 83 Stakes Races. He has also produced 19 Stakes Placed.
Dynamic Syndications know how good the SAVABEEL progeny are.
After all Dean Watt - Dynamic Syndications Managing Director syndicated SAVABEEL to see him go on to win the Cox Plate and Spring Champion Stakes in his Spring 3yo year and then .....
Winning the Cox Plate & The Spoils of Victory
Dean put his Bloodstock Consultancy hat to be instrumental in arranging the sale of the racetrack superstar to Waikato Stud for stud duties.
This year at the New Zealand yearling sales, Dynamic Syndications purchased a magnificent filly by NZ Champion Sire (now standing at $100,000) from the mare SWAROVSKI.
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Our Filly - SAVABEEL / SWAROVSKI with GAI WATERHOUSE
Bred on the SAVABEEL / PINS cross which has been very successful to date.
From 20 runners on this cross, there has been 13 winners, 3 placegetters and 3 Stakes Winners including
BRAMBLES
Queensland Derby Winner BRAMBLES, DOWAGER QUEEN, LOPOV whilst she is bred on a
LUCIA VALENTINA
similar pattern to Champion 3yo LUCIA VALENTINA.
Our filly is bred to be special and bred to be a CLASSICS and CUPS Contender.
With outstanding looks, and conformation she will be given every opportunity to reach her care under the guidance of Hall Of Fame trainer GAI WATERHOUSE.
Shares in our filly are $7,250.
Just think – this time next year you may be aiming up at the big races in Sydney and Melbourne.
Live The Dream … Join Our Team !