Tarzino Trophy Countdown: Number 8 - Kawi 2015 & 2016

The first Group 1 of the New Zealand racing season always brings a great deal of excitement. As we get closer to the running of the 2020 Tarzino Trophy, we are taking a look at the top 10 performances in the race since the turn of the century.

First run in 1985 when named the Challenge Stakes, all through the years this race has attracted an extremely strong field. Given it is early in the season at Weight-For-Age conditions over 1400m, horses of the highest echelon use this race as a springboard to campaigns both in New Zealand and Internationally.

Previously named the Mudgway Stakes, the Mudgway Challenge Stakes and the Makfi Challenge Stakes, the race was renamed the Tarzino Trophy in 2017. Tarzino - a former Victoria Derby and Rosehill Guineas winner - now stands at Westbury Stud.

On only three occasions has there been back-to-back victories recorded in this race. The second to do so was a phenomenally talented galloper who hailed from the ‘Naki’.

Bred by Warea-based dairy farmers Christine and John 'Steak' Goodin from their unraced Volksraad mare Magic Time, out of the 10 foals, five runners and four individual winners she has produced, it is her son Kawi that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Trained by Allan Sharrock at New Plymouth, this son of Savabeel was owned by a familiar group. Having been involved in the likes of multiple Group 1 winner Shez Sinsational, A A Baeyertz, J P Goodin, G A Macdonald, G H Phillips and the trainers father and mentor the late R W (Bob) Sharrock would enjoy an incredible ride with this horse. Former New Zealand Warriors and Kiwi’s coach Tony Kemp would later join in on the fun.

From early on, it was clear that Kawi was an above average animal. Recording his maiden victory over 1400m in only his second start, he prevailed that day over Recite - previously the winner of two Group 2 contests and the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce.

He would carry on from there to win a further five races, which included the Anniversary Handicap (Listed, 1600m) and the Taranaki Cup (Group 3, 1800m). He would also run 2nd and 3rd in the Group 3 Japan NZ International Trophy (1600m) and the Group 1 Easter Handicap (1600m) respectively.

In preparation for his first tilt at the Mafki Challenge Stakes, his run to finish 2nd across the line after being slowly away in the Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (Group 2, 1200m) was the ideal lead up. He was relegated to 5th after a protest which found he caused interference at the 250m mark.

His biggest test to date was the 2015 Makfi Challenge Stakes and he was installed a $4.90 joint favourite when the gates crashed open.

He would have to overcome a very strong field. Prior to the race, there were 22 Group or Listed victories between his rivals, seven of those were at Group 1 level. The entrants included the likes of Turn Me Loose, Vespa, Nashville, Puccini, Soriano and Pondarosa Miss.

Racing in the daffodil colours, signifying the brilliant association this raceday now has with the Cancer Society, he was able find a beautiful midfield position from barrier 12. There was a serious early battle for the speed and jockey Leith Innes was able to watch this all unfold in front of him.

It was at the 600m mark where he was peeled out to make his run, benefiting from the the pace up top which drew him perfectly into the race. When they balanced for the run home, he was firmly on the bridle and looked the winner from that far out.

It was one of the pace makers in Ryan Mark who had other ideas however, he was rolling on up front with purpose and looked hard to pin back.

But as was typical throughout his career, it was the turn of foot and steely determination that saw him level up and draw out a comfortable winner, going away at the money line. It was a comfortable victory and his first at the elite level.

He would bypass any further involvement in the remainder of the carnival, in favour of a short spell before returning to victory over 1400m at Awapuni in an Open Handicap carrying 62kgs.

The purple patch continued when taking out the Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), before recording his second and third Group 1 victories in the Zabeel Classic (2000m) and Thorndon Mile (1600m) respectively.

After two solid Group 1 performances in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m), he was sent to the spelling paddock for the winter.

His lead in to a bid for back-to-back Mafki Challenge Stakes titles was a quiet trial victory at Foxton.

He would race in the Number One saddle cloth in 2016, again carrying 59kgs but having to contend with a barrier draw of 14 - two places wider than the previous year.

He was the obvious pre-race favourite ($4.20 offered by the TAB at the close seems very generous in hindsight!), but there was some strong opposition to contend with again.

Valley Girl, who had had defeated him in the Herbie Dyke Stakes six months previous before running second in the Group 1 Vinery in Sydney, looked a serious danger.

Group 1 performers Stolen Dance, Hasselhoof and Capella would also ensure he wouldn’t be allowed to simply turn up and win.

Racing in the daffodil colours once again, it was apparent from the get-go that he would not enjoy the same sweet trip as the year previous.

The hearts would’ve been firmly in the mouth of connections when he was forced to race three and four wide down the back of the track in the opening half of the race.

The hallmark of each and every star thoroughbred is the ability for the jockey to be able to move them into a position you’d never dream of doing to the run-of-the-mill horse. Leith Innes wasn’t content to sit in this spot, so in an ice-cool piece of horsemanship he worked the gelding forward at the 700m to be in a position one of the rail.

After having a breather to the 500m mark in that much better position, Innes commenced his run around the turn to be prominent when they swung for home.

From there he showcased his talent once again as he picked off each runner with that finishing run to draw out a 1 1/4 length winner at the line. He cemented himself as one of the very best to be seen in this race in what would be his fourth Group 1 spoil.

His outstanding career would carry on from there, where he would record victory in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) three weeks later. He added further Group 1 wins in the Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m) and Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) of 2017. Ironically, perhaps his best performance was his penultimate one - that for 2nd in the 2018 Group 1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) where he was held for a run carrying top weight and coming down the middle of the track when there was a bias to the inside.

The Taranaki conditioner reflects on the race and his horse:

“To compete at Hastings from our side of the island is extra hard, they are always a bit woolly in the coat, and it’s just harder to get them up from up for the early spring. Kawi was a war horse and he never really let me down, every time we asked him to he batted up & the 2016 Makfi was no different.”

“We had a great run in the race, and it’s a proper race, I Do won it for us in 2014 and of course Kawi in 2015 & 2016. 2016 he was flying, we really thought it was our chance to win the triple crown after picking up the first 2 legs unfortunately the last leg was called off and it wasn’t to be. Super horse”

The decision to retire the star galloper was a hard one for Sharrock, but he knew it was the right one. He had experience fetlock and joint issues throughout his career and after a 6th placing in the BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa, he knew he wasn’t at his best.

When the curtain came down on his racing career, he left a record that can be held up against the very best this country has produced. He raced 39 times, for 15 wins (seven at Group 1 level) and 12 minor placings. Only four times in his career did he fail to finish in the top five home.

This New Zealand Champion Middle Distance Horse of 2016/17 and Champion Sprinter/Miler of 2017/18 was brilliant.

Our Number 8 since the turn of the millennium is Kawi!