Improving stayer Kiwia will be set for the Bendigo Cup following his come from behind win in the Group 3 $150,000 Priceline Pharmacy Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield today.

Kiwia, above, will now head to the Bendigo Cup after winning the Coongy Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Kiwia, above, will now head to the Bendigo Cup after winning the Coongy Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Kiwia provided leading trainer Darren Weir with his third win on Caulfield Cup Day after he saluted with Snitzepeg in the Gothic Stakes and with Victoria Derby prospect Cliff’s Edge in the Group 3 $350,000 Ladbrokes Classic (2000m).

Damian Lane settled Kiwia in the second half of the field and the four year old finished strong at the end of the 200m to overhaul the leader Samovare ($3 favourite) to record a three quarters of a length win.

$17 outsider of the field Maurus als ran on from the back to fill third spot.

Weir said that Kiwia had been a handful around the stables in his early days but has keep improving as a stayer and will now head to the Group 3 $300,000 Bendigo Cup (2400m) at Bendigo on November 1.

“He doesn’t show anything at home,” Weir said.

“We took him to Warrnambool with no expectations and he won and then he went to Ballarat and won again and he just continued to progresss.”

“We thought we will have a crack at the Bendigo Cup so if he can hold things together I think he is on track.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.