Kawi wins 2016 Harcourts Thorndon Mile Goup 1 NZ$200,000 at Trentham (NZ), 1600m.
Kawi settled down a lot closer to the pace in fifth position one out with a trail about four to five lengths from Mabeel who set a good pace in front. He improved his position to fourth at the halfway point travelling well in the run. On turning for home he peeled out three wide full of running before taking the lead at the 200m and having enough in hand to hold off the late lunge of Stolen Dance on his outside.
Stolen Dance settled down in sixth position on the fence before being shuffled back to third last. Pushing out into the clear on the point of the bend Stolen Dance took the home turn four and five wide. She took a while to balance up but made good ground late to just miss. Another game effort in defeat.
Sports Illustrated was first out of the gates and held the fence early before handing up the lead to Mabeel and settling down in third position on the fence. Bosson switched off the heels of the leader on straightening and quickly went up to challenge gamely between runners with Kawi to her outside. She responded well to hard riding and made Kawi fight hard but was unable to sustain her effort to the line tiring a little late on for third. A sound effort in defeat.
