Rotorua Double - Kai a Cracker - Season Win 70

Again displaying proficiency on rain-affected footing, Kai (4 m Ocean Park - Brilliant Blush, by Testa Rossa) was a clear-cut winner in the $14,000 Macmillan Accountants Rating 65 1230 metres on 30 November at Rotorua.

After stylishly leading home a Te Akau trifecta in the Maiden 1200 metres on 21 September at Matamata, on Heavy10 footing, which capped six seconds from seven starts, Kai had been held up before finding the line strongly for third in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 12 November at Tauranga, and the Heavy8 going appeared tailor-made.

With premiership leading jockey Craig Grylls in the saddle - steeled following second place aboard stable-mate Prismatic (Savabeel) in the opener - Kai tracked the leaders in midfield, honed in rounding the home turn and quickened away to score by one and a half lengths.

Justifying favouritism to pay $2.30 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote, Kai ran 1230 metres in 1:16.8, the last 600m in 37.

The result continued fine form by trainer Mark Walker, following five wins last Saturday which included the Eagle Technology Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) winner Prise De Fer and the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) winner La Flora Belle (Iffraaj).

Kai's victory took the stable's tally to 70 wins for the season - a lead of 43 wins over the second placed stable.

Following the Maiden win by Kai at Matamata, Walker said: “There's not a lot of her, but she tries her heart out every time and it won't be her last win, that's for sure.”

True to his appraisal, the consistency and ability of Kai are now both clearly evident, having won twice and placed eight times in 12 starts.

“It was another strong win and good ride by Craig (Grylls),” Walker said. “As I've said before, she tries really hard and that should enable her to win again up in grade.”

Prior to winning, Kai finished second to subsequent 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Pier (Proisir), while the stable-mates she defeated: Elounda (Contributer) finished second again to dual stakes' placed stable-mate Romancing The Moon (El Roca), before winning, and Savoir Faire (Savabeel) placed three from three and warranted his place in the Eagle Memorial (Listed, 1500m) last Saturday.

In training for Jamie and Chanel Beatson (Ohukia Lodge), Tom Duncan, Harvey Frame, and 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 great guns at stud. He has already sired over 620 winners, 35 stakes winners, including eight at Group One level.

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.

Kai was strapped by Katija Cherie.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz