You'd have to say the winning of the 2022 Kaikoura Cup came when DJB pushed the go button and found his way to the front.
After a slow getaway, regular driver David Butcher wasn't content to sit on the marker line. An early jostle with hot favourite Akuta saw Kango get a drag into it and quickly find the lead.
Prior to the race it was borderline as to whether Kango would make the NZ Cup field. Following his impressive victory he clearly showed he's entitled to be there.
The race was marred when the siren went given he'd run out in the straight. There was little cause for concern though as he never impeded Akuta's chance.
It was clear from the Trackside coverage that trainer Arna Donnelly looked worried when she met Kango in the birdcage. "To be honest I only watched parts of the race" said Donnelly. "I need to go back and see it from start to finish."
After giving it a lot of thought Donnelly elected to bypass the Flying Stakes at Ashburton last week and instead make the 3 hour drive to Kaikoura. As it turns out this was a master stroke.
It was only Kango's third Southern start this campaign and it's fair to say that up until yesterday not a lot had gone his way. "Methven was a non-event after he bobbled away and had the whole field in front of him" said Donnelly. "He still made up plenty of ground in the straight and David was very happy with his run. Next up at Addington he had to do it the hard way but still fought bravely in the run home.
The big boy from Cambridge now gets the chance to strut his stuff on Cup Day and if it's a true run race, look out for him when the guns are cracking.
