Astute New Zealand horseman Allan Sharrock can’t wait for Kawi’s appearance in Saturday’s Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot.
If Sharrock’s planning is spot on and the race goes to script, Kawi is poised to add a sixth Group 1 trophy to his impressive racing resume.
There have been a couple of stuttering steps along the journey, but Australia’s final Group One event of the year is Kawi’s primary target.
Kawi opened his Perth assault in the Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) and copped a blistering welcome with temperatures soaring to 37 degrees.
Just three days after landing in the west and more than a month between runs, Kawi battled gamely when a fading fourth to Perfect Reflection.
He then backed up in the Railway Stakes but expectations were kept in check when he had to lump record weight to win the Group One mile.
However; despite the weight hurdle and an impeded run in the straight he won admirers when a sound sixth to local star, Scales Of Justice.
Sharrock said Kawi had now well and truly settled into the Perth environment and believes the six-year-old is ready to showcase his best.
“He has acclimatised to the Perth weather and the flies and is almost like one of the locals,” Sharrock said.
“This is the race he has been set for and the race that we see him winning.
“First up he probably arrived in Perth too late and he was a little underdone.
“And then in the Railway he couldn’t get a crack at them over the final stages.
“He has come on super since his previous run and is on an upward path.”
Kawi will be ridden by Michael Walker, who escaped injury in a barrier trial mishap on Monday.
Kawi, a winner of five Group One races in New Zealand, will enter equine millionaire status if success in the Kingston Town Classic.
The Savabeel gelding has won 13 races and been placed on eight occasions from his 28 starts.
The Kingston Town Barrier will be conducted at Ascot on Tuesday afternoon.
RWWA: Julio Santarelli