RETURN TO PALMERSTON NORTH LIKELY FOR KOWHAI WHIZ
Kowhai Whiz enjoyed Palmerston North so much last week with a winning double that he may return for next week’s next two-day Manawatu meeting (Tuesday Feb. 16 & Thursday, Feb. 18).
The 7YO Now Another Look-Surprising gelding scored back-to-back wins in the hands of Robbie Close at both the Manawatu and Wairarapa meetings, run three days apart, last week (February 4 & 7).
Kowhai Whiz, shown winning at Rangiora on November 5, 2015 for Laura McKay. He scored a winning double at Palmerston North last week. (Race Images photo).
Robbie took all the shortcuts from the 20m line with an inside run four back at the 400m with Kowhai Whiz on February 4.
He angled off the back of leader Notre Dame turning for home and scored an easy four lengths wins in the Stephen Doody Racing Stables Handicap Trot in 3:18.3 (2500m).
Back to 30m for the Bottle-O Feilding C2 & faster Trot at the Wairarapa meeting, Kowhai Whiz settled fifth of the six starters and had to unleash late to catch Master Monarchy, getting home by a head in 3:18.6 (2500m), the leaders last 800m in 59.1s.
The winning double moved Kowhai Whiz to a C6 assessment.
Kowhai Whiz. who has had a couple of penalty-free adjustments, has now won eight and been 12 times placed in 57 starts, for $56,045, for owners John and Jill Hartnell.
After earlier racing for Terry and Glenys Chmiel, Kowhai Whiz won first-up for seven months for the Mark Jones stable at Rangiora on November 5 last year, crediting junior driver Laura McKay with her first win.
He had raced soundly in Canterbury the interim but found things easier last week in the Central Districts.
“He will most likely head back up for next weeks meeting,” Mark confirmed.
He’ll go back again in handicap but has a chance of two more suitable C2 and faster opportunities over 2500m around at Palmerston North.