Kai-Pow - She Wins Again

Suitably improved by her first-up run, Kai (4 m Ocean Park - Brilliant Blush, by Testa Rossa) won the Pukekawa Pony Club $30,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on Saturday at Pukekohe. 

The win provided an early double for Te Akau apprentice Jess Allen, who combined with Johny Johny (Charm Spirit) to win the first race.

Kai had resumed with a good effort for third in the Rating 75 1200 metres on 14 May at Matamata, with Allen aboard, and brought posing factors to the race having placed at her only course attempt. She had proved very consistent, having recorded both wins on heavy footing, and with the claiming four-kilo weight relief to 50.5kg looked well positioned.

Although forced to race three wide in midfield and improve wider into the straight, Kai sustained a strong finish to chase down leader Alchemia (Per Incanto) in the last 200 metres and she scored by a neck. 

“It wouldn't have been a good ride if she hadn't won,” said Allen, on dismounting, possibly being a bit self-critical as wide of centre track on heavy going appeared ideal. 

On Heavy10 footing, Kai ran 1200 metres in 1:14.9, last 600m in 37.3, and drifted in betting to pay $11.00 & $2.60 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“She's got the heart of a lion and tries her guts out all the time,” said trainer Mark Walker. “It was a lovely ride by Jess, she's going well and her claim certainly helps at this time of year.

“She was very consistent before winning her Maiden last September, and stripped fitter for her resuming run.”

Speaking on behalf of the sponsor, Emily Bosson (wife of stable rider Opie Bosson) said:

“Congratulations to the owners and trainer. Both the owner's representative, Daniel (Worker) and trainer Mark Walker started their careers at pony clubs, with Mark at Opunake Pony Club and Dan at Papatoetoe Pony Club.”

In training for Jamie and Chanel Beatson (Ohukia Lodge), Tom Duncan, Harvey Frame, Daniel and James Worker, Kai is by Ocean Park (Thorn Park), who won five Group One races, including the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m), and going well as a stallion at Waikato Stud. He has already sired nearly 700 winners, 39 stakes winners, including eight at Group One level. 

Not the biggest, but incredibly genuine, Kai has now recorded three wins, six seconds, and four thirds, from 15 starts. 

Third dam Stella Cadente (Centaine) won five of 13 starts, including a notable victory in the Australia Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) in 1998 at Moonee Valley, when ridden by Shane Dye at the inaugural meeting under lights.

“Before coming down to Auckland, I was with the Tomarata Pony Club, Wellsford,” Worker said.

“Jamie (Beatson) mentioned when we went duck shooting a couple of years ago that we could get a shares in her, so with my brother James and friends Tom (Duncan) and Harvey (Frame) we got involved.

“I'd seen her previously winning at Matamata, and another time when she ran second there. She's been awesome to be involved in, winning all three this season and we get great updates from the stable.

“I play polo and was thinking that if she didn't make it as a racehorse then she'd make a great polo pony, but she loves racing and tries hard.”

Kai was strapped by Kohen Collett. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz