Jockey Michael Walker is hopeful of being fit to ride Kawi in the Group 1 $1m Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday despite being injured in a barrier incident at Moonee Valley last Saturday.
Jockey Michael Walker, above, is hopeful of being fit to ride Kawi in the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.
Walker’s mount Star Search was fractious in the barriers and had to be withdrawn from the Whiteman Property Plate (1000m) for the two year olds and the incident left the Melbourne based Kiwi jockey with a tender hip.
Walker will undergo intensive treatment during the week to try to be fit to reunite with Kawi after riding him when sixth to Scales Of Justice in the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 19.
“Not bad. Had a few anti-inflammatories and painkillers and I am good,” Walker told racing.com.
“Beforehand he threw me in the mounting yard.”
“I trialled him out at Flemington the week before. He was good, he gave me a nice feel, a nice ride but I think it just got to him.”
“He was actually fine in the barriers. I had a man up ready to go. My horse then got a fright and he ended up sitting under the back of the gate and I couldn’t get out.”
“My leg was caught between the saddle and the side of the gate but I will be fine.”
Walker said he will be looking for a lot more luck this weekend when he reunites with Kawi after being held up for a run in the straight in the Railway Stakes.
Kawi will be better suited under the weight for age conditions and will meet Railway Stakes winner Scaled Of Justice 5kg better at the weights.
“I got caught behind the horse of Chris Waller’s (Good Project),” Walker said.
“I had a beautiful run and was in a good rhythm but just when I needed the gaps they weren’t there.”
“Chris Waller’s horse ran second and I was just behind that horse the whole way and couldn’t get out.”
“So hopefully that doesn’t happen again this weekend.”
In early betting for the Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au Kawi is well fancied at $6.50 with only Perfect Reflection at $4.60 and Scales Of Justice at $5.50 the only two ahead of him in the market order.
Early market order for the Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Perfect Reflection, $5.50 Scales Of Justice, $6.50 Kawi, $8 Tradesman, $9 Mackintosh, $11 Good Project, $13 Vanbrugh, $15 Stratum Star, $21 Chocolate Holic, Disposition, He Or She, $26 Heart Starter, Neverland, Respondent, $31 Bass Strait, Boom Time, Pilote D’Essai, $41 or more the rest.
