Powerhouse Taranaki performer Kawi has edged closer to a significant slice of New Zealand racing history.
Success in yesterday's group one Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham was his seventh at the highest level to put him level with the outstanding mare Seachange.
They sit one behind Mufhasa,who heads the hit parade with eight domestic group one wins.
New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock has yet to decide his next step in his bid to further Kawi's record.
"We could stay at a mile or go to 2000m or freshen him up and go for the Telegraph — he's a tractable horse," he said.
Kawi was back and wide in the Captain Cook before he was urged around the field a long way from home. He was prominent on straightening and held a strong gallop in the closing 350m to trump Consensus and Sofia Rosa.
"He's a very good horse – he sat four wide and that's not how we saw it, but he was tough enough," Sharrock said.
"He was travelling on the corner, it was a terrific effort."