Lighter Kiwi ready to fly

[Wandering Eyes]

It has been a case of two stones lighter, two gears faster for Canterbury pacer Kiwis Are Flying recently.

The Robbie Holmes trained 5yr-old heads to Addington on Friday night after stepping his game up with two excellent runs in his last two starts.

The reason the blueblood son of Bettor’s Delight and former topline mare Kiwi Ingenuity may make some males a little uncomfortable.

“We left him a colt some time, being out of Kiwi Ingenuity,” Holmes said.

“Obviously he is gelded now and I think that has helped him.”

“In hindsight we should have gelded him sooner.”          

“I think his mind is a lot more on the job.”

In his last start, Kiwis Are Flying fought on for second behind the speedy Jazzy Star in what looked to be a stronger field than he meets on Friday night.

Prior to that, the horse caught the eye when running home for third behind Secret Bet at Ashburton, after losing ground at the start.

Those two runs, which impressed Holmes, came after Kiwis Are Flying produced a fresh up sixth at Addington in his first run since being gelded.

“I have been really impressed with him,”

“He has found the line very strongly on both occasions.”

Kiwis Are Flying will compete in junior drivers company on Friday night with Mark Hurrell in the sulky.

Hurrell, who has recently been sporting a moustache the late Freddie Mercury would have been proud of, will be charged with putting Kiwis Are Flying in his favoured position on the speed in Friday night’s race.

“Hopefully Mark Hurrell can work some magic,” Holmes said.

“It is just whether we go forward or go back [at the start], that will be up to Mark.”

Flying Mister Ideal looks the toughest horse for Kiwis Are Flying to beat.

The Brendon Hill trained 5yr-old drops massively in class after clashing with superstar pacers U May Cullect and Turn It Up in his last two starts.

Flying Mister Ideal showed he was ready to resume when winning a trial, last week.

Korbyn Newman will take the reins behind the pacer in Friday night’s 2600m mobile.

Kiwis Are Flying opened at a $4.20 win price with bookmakers before he moved in to $3.80.

Flying Mister Ideal also received support, being backed in from $6.50 to $5.

The remainder of the market for Friday night’s race is headed by Dude Of Dundee ($6), Glenthorne ($6.50) and Kardesler ($7). 

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