A disappointing nine runners only ran in this G1 at WFA over a mile and the first three home all had something in common that none of the other six runners had ever achieved. The field was not strong overall and only two runners had won at G1 against all comers in Kawi and Consensus and they formed the quinella in that order. Only one other runner had won at G1 in this field to show it lacked genuine depth and that was when a 3yo filly against her own age and sex namely Sofia Rosa and the now 5yo mare finished third. Kawi had not won this campaign so far but was back on his favourite track today and easily beat a field he had seen before in the main and always should defeat. He was away fifth the outer then the race went strange and he got flushed out wide sixth or seventh before his rider decided to move up four-wide across the top to fifth and then challenged turning for home. It was an ugly ride and only the credit can go to the horse after such an overland launch but it also showed the opposition either need to meet him at middle distance or right-handed or both to beat the big black gelding. He won by a length and a quarter and clocked 1:36.28, which was not a great time and only just over three lengths superior to the race that followed this, a Ratings 75 (five grades inferior supposedly). A winner earlier in the day that won the Special Conditions event that had maidens in it ran just under nine lengths slower than a G1 at WFA to give some more perspective. Kawi is your classic local hero in that today was his seventh success G1 but he has been found out three times in Perth at G1 and G2, where he could not even run a place and that says it all. Today was the fifteenth win in thirty-seven starts for Kawi, so his win strike rate is very good but he has likely jumped as favourite and been beaten more than any other modern galloper. Sunline started favourite more often but she never ever suffered a single defeat in New Zealand. Eleven of the wins by Kawi have come by a length or less with seven of those staggeringly a long neck, long head, head or half head, so his big melon has come in handy for sure. The biggest win of his career came as a maiden by two and a quarter lengths otherwise a length and a quarter has been the next biggest margin of success. This now accepted as a sprinter-miler only 7yo gelding can get the New Zealand record of home G1 wins with one more to equal Mufhasa and with the massive current lack of depth at WFA it is his for the taking. Facts matter however and even Mufhasa after a lot of trying won at G1 in Australia and did so twice (Toorak (1600m in 2011) and Futurity (1400m in 2012). The 6yo mare Consensus ran on well for second after an awkward start and being last away. She has won once at G1 and it came at 2000m clockwise at WFA and today was her eighth outing at this the highest level with two placings now to go with that success. Sofia Rosa had not fired a shot this season but ran a good third and was the widest runner across the top from the rear group to the home turn. She sustained her run and was beaten one and three-quarters of a length. It should be noted her last win came as a 3yo filly in the G1 ATC Oaks (2400m) in April of 2016 on slow footing. Benzini ran on well late for fourth after ending up last across the top to the home turn and the 8yo can still snare a middle distance win as the stamina depth and WFA pool is very shallow at the moment. Authentic Paddy raced handy as usual and one-batted the run home for fifth to be beaten just over two lengths but the 8yo is now known for that. Coldplay was okay once clearing the stopping leader near the home turn to finish sixth beaten just under two and a half lengths. Son Of Maher at his first outing at this level under WFA was not disgraced in seventh beaten two and a half lengths. Chocante the stayer stopped to run second last beaten over eleven lengths but was asked an awful lot of after being crowded at the start. He got sent up wide early and over to second the outer after 500m but once taking the lead narrowly near the home turn was quickly headed himself and punctured badly. Miss Wilson ran a career worst race after being wide on the pace then taking the lead only to be headed before the home turn and stopping badly to end up last and over thirty-three lengths in arrears. This was an ageing field (not a single 3yo or 4yo ran) and Kawi should beat these every time he meets them at this trip left-handed. Kawi has clearly benefitted from beating inferior depth fields and much the same types for a long time now and it is hard to highlight the best horse he has beaten (when both are fully fit) as he has not come up against absolute stars in such a state. Maybe it is Start Wondering, which has beaten him too it should be noted, but this sprinter-miler has also has been well beaten multiple times in Queensland at G1 for some realism. The key assist for Kawi’s record is the few real good sorts that have appeared in the last few years have gone early to Australia in the Spring or Autumn or after a get fit run or two and left him to hoover up the inferior crumbs. Plus the few good sorts that appear do not bother racing over Summer in the main too as they need a break between Spring and the Autumn, so timing is everything. In his five mile wins the fastest time he has run is only 1:34.60, with the other four wins coming at 1:35 or 1:36 and change, which are all nothing to gloat about. The fact he is a gelding means he can keep racing as no stud protection required plus while the opposition is so average at the moment then the record for local G1 wins is his one possible and pursuable claim to fame. He wishes Trentham had more opportunities for him as bar Otaki, Awapuni and Hastings there is no other left-handed venue he would race at bar a celebrity appearance at his home track of New Plymouth.