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Kawi ready for Herbie Dyke Stakes challenge; Maritimo pleases Rogerson with exhibition gallop; Special Bid thriving down South; Death of Intergaze; Hong Kong opens up more races to internationals

Kawi ready for Herbie Dyke Stakes challenge

Three days in the spelling paddock has class galloper Kawi rested, refreshed and ready to tackle his next Group One challenge this summer.

Trainer Alan Sharrock is delighted with the strapping son of Savabeel’s return from several days in the spelling paddock following his comprehensive victory in the Gr. 1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham.

“He came back this week after three days off and he looks fantastic,” he said.

“If anything he has improved again although we will see just where he’s at when he has his first serious gallop next Tuesday.

“At this stage he’s right on target for the Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa in a fortnight.”

Sharrock is still contemplating a tilt at the Gr. 1 Australian Cup at Flemington on the 12th of March with another option being a trip to Queensland for some plum prizes during their Winter Carnival later in the year.

Maritimo pleases Rogerson with exhibition gallop

Despite missing a recent trial outing, progressive filly Maritimo is ready to fire fresh-up in Saturday’s Gr.3 Wellfield Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham.

Unsighted since finishing well back in the Gr.1 1000 Guineas in November the daughter of Pins pleased co-trainer Graeme Rogerson with a sound effort during an exhibition gallop between races at Te Rapa recently.

“She is ready to go a good race at Trentham even though she missed a run at the trials,” he said.

“She had a searching gallop between races at Te Rapa and has come on nicely since then so I’d expect her to be in contention tomorrow.

“She goes well fresh and this will be a good test to see whether we press on to some of the longer Classic races that are coming up.”

Maritimo will be looking to extend a perfect record at Trentham having been successful in the Listed Wellesley Stakes in her only start there as a two-year-old.

Special Bid thriving down South

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston is pleased with the stable’s new addition Special Bid, who will tackle Rating 65 company at Ashburton on Saturday.

“Special Bid had two runs at the Coast for Mike Breslin and he has left her down here with me,” Carston said.

“She won at Kumara and was an unlucky third at Greymouth and they thought she’d be better placed in the South Island.

“She’s got a good gate and enjoys the sting out of the track, so she should be thereabouts.”

Death of Intergaze

Eight-time Group One winner Intergaze has died at the age of 22, his Sydney trainer Rod Craig confirming his former stable star was euthanised on Thursday due to old age.

The great galloper's Group One victories came in the Champagne Stakes, Canterbury Guineas, All Aged Stakes, Doomben Cup, Underwood Stakes, Australian Cup and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which he won twice.

Hong Kong opens up more races to internationals

Another 17 Hong Kong races will be opened up to international competition in the new season.

Fourteen of the newly opened races hold restricted rating bands, which will be removed, bringing the number of open races in 2016/17 to 31.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club made the announcement at the Asian Racing Conference held in Mumbai this week.

"This is a logical progression for Hong Kong in line with the direction and consistent advances the Club has made in recent years," HKJC's Anthony Kelly said.

The Hong Kong Classic Mile, Hong Kong Classic Cup and Hong Kong Derby will remain restricted to Hong Kong-resident horses.