Hawk Swoops to Group Three Success

Super-consistent Karaka graduate Kiwi Skyhawk (NZ) (Contributer) got his turn in the sun on Saturday with a richly deserved first stakes win in the $150,000 Group Three Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham.

Kiwi Skyhawk was offered by Cambridge Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where he was bought by Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $240,000. He has now had 10 starts for two wins, three placings and $212,975 in stakes.

A maiden winner at Te Rapa in August, Kiwi Skyhawk went on to run third in the Group Three War Decree Stakes (1400m), fourth in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), fifth in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), seventh in the Group Two Avondale Guineas (2100m) and fifth in the Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m).

Kiwi Skyhawk faced a far easier assignment in Saturday's Manawatu Classic, and he was more than up to the task.

Patiently ridden by Matt Cartwright, Kiwi Skyhawk dropped a long way back in a strung-out field. But his class and stamina shone through in the straight, sprinting down the outside and soaring past his 10 rivals to win by a length.

“I actually love riding this horse,” Cartwright said. “He’s the kindest horse in Marshy’s (Stephen Marsh's) stable. That’s why I was a bit excited going past the line – just because I really like this horse and it was good for him to get this win. Hopefully he can go on with it from here.

“They rolled along for the first part of the race and I was a fair way off them. But I really just trusted my horse. I have a lot of faith in him and a lot of time for him. He proved the talent that he’s got. I’m hoping he gets some good confidence out of this win.”

According to Marsh's stable representative and bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson, Kiwi Skyhawk could now be in line for a trip to the Queensland Winter Carnival.

“It’s a massive thrill and the horse really deserves it,” Johnson said. “With the pattern of the day today, the plan was always to get back – possibly not 14 lengths off them at the 800, but he’s a lovely horse and it’s great to see him deliver on a big day.

“We elected to go back and ride him like the best horse in the race. We know he has a sharp turn of foot. Matt gave him a lovely, patient ride and it was a good win.

“His form has been brilliant. His run in the Karaka Millions was great, he was superb in the Avondale Guineas and his Derby run had a lot of merit as well.

“It’s not always easy with three-year-olds who go to Christchurch for the Guineas races in the spring, but Stephen has done a brilliant job. We’ve been quite light with him through the summer, which opens up the possibility of taking him to Brisbane in the winter. Bourbon Lane are a great bunch of owners who might enjoy a trip.”

The Manawatu Classic runner-up Dubai's Potiki (NZ) (Ocean Park) is also a Karaka graduate. He failed to meet his $50,000 reserve in Book 2 of Karaka 2023, but has now earned $44,600 from a promising career.

Vendor	Cambridge Stud
Purchaser	Stephen Marsh Racing/Dylan Johnson Bloodstock (Waikato)
Breeding	Contributer – Pouter
Sale	Lot 434, Karaka 2023 Book 1, $240,000
Bred by	W Doughty