Racing: Sharrock delighted with Kawi after trip to Perth

Trainer Allan Sharrock with Kawi and strapper Emma Davies. Photo / Paul Taylor

The long haul to Perth hasn't fazed multiple group one winner Kawi.

The star New Plymouth galloper was flown to Australia last Saturday and after an overnight stay in Melbourne he continued on to Western Australia.

Kawi has settled in well in his new surroundings and trainer Allan Sharrock said the Savabeel 6-year-old was taking everything in his stride ahead of the Lee Steere Stakes at Ascot today.

"He's done terrifically well and I just couldn't be any happier with him. He had a gallop, not at high speed, here on Wednesday morning and he went very, very well."

Sharrock has Kawi boarding at the stables of Daniel Morton, who has the former Gai Waterhouse-trained entire Pornichet, last year's Doomben Cup winner and fourth in the first of Winx's two Cox Plates, in the Lee Steere.

"Everybody has bent over backwards to help us out and everything is going well," Sharrock said.

Even though he expects Kawi to prove ultra-competitive in his opening run, he says the gelding will improve with the outing.

"I did all the work with him at home and he's right where I would want him to be. They'll know he's there on Saturday."

Safely through the weekend, Kawi will take aim at Ascot's two major prizes: the Railway Stakes on November 19 and the Kingston Town Classic on December 3.

He will be ridden by Michael Walker, who served his apprenticeship with Sharrock.

- NZ Racing Desk