NZ racing wrap: Waddell out to make amends on Kawi
The Cambridge-based rider has ridden the weight-for-age star on two occasions, culminating in a Group One victory at Otaki in February, and a first-up third in the Group Two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate.
“He was fantastic in the Foxbridge Plate,” Waddell said.
“I wasn’t overly happy with my ride on him, but I was tracking a couple of horses in the race that I thought would carry me into it and they just didn’t do that.
“I was forced to take him wide and start my run a bit earlier than I would have liked. It caused him to use that sprint a bit sooner than I wanted to and cover extra ground.”
The self-critical Waddell is keen to make amends for trainer Allan Sharrock and connections and ensure Kawi gets the best opportunity to make it three successive Tarzino Trophies (formerly the Makfi Challenge Stakes).
“I definitely want to pull that one back and give him the perfect chance to make it three out of three on Saturday,” he added.
Kawi has drawn well in barrier five, providing his rider with plenty of options.
“I’m sure we can be midfield or even a touch closer,” Waddell said.
“We all know he’s not the best beginner and he can get over-racing a touch if you use him up early.
“There are a few good horses drawn around me to follow, so that gives me several options.”
Class could take mare close
Bella Gioia isn’t fully tuned up just yet, but she is still expected to give a bold account of herself when resuming at Ruakaka on Saturday.
“She was a genuine Group One three-year-old last season and her class will take her a long way,” trainer Shaune Ritchie said.
“She’s not a 1200 metre horse, but we still expect her to go a cheeky race.”
Runner-up in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas, Bella Gioia will be ridden in the Polwarth Design Handicap by Sam Weatherley.
Chocante thriving ahead of Chelmsford
Brisbane Cup winner Chocante is primed to give a strong account of himself in Saturday’s Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
While trainer Stephen Marsh acknowledges they are running for second at best behind the champion mare Winx, he has been thrilled with the progress of the five-year-old who trialled in fine style at Taupo earlier this month.
“His trial was great,” he said.
“It was full of black-type horses and for him to do that was great.”
After the Chelmsford, Chocante will step up to 2000m a fortnight later in the Group Three Kingston Town Stakes at Rosehill and on to the Group One Metropolitan over 2400m at Randwick on September 30.
Marsh said they were then hoping the horse’s form warranted a tilt at the Group One Melbourne Cup.
Kiwi continues perfect form line
New Zealand-bred Melbourne Cup entry Night’s Watch has retained his unbeaten status in Australia.
The four-year-old son of Redwood was a debut winner at Bendigo over 1300m earlier this month for champion trainer Darren Weir and the gelding followed up at Sandown on Wednesday with success over 1400m.
Night’s Watch, who also holds Group One nominations for the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate, won once from four starts for Peter and Dawn Williams before he was recruited by international syndication company OTI.
– NZ Racing Desk