ONE of New Zealand’s most enigmatic horses of the past season, Kawi, has won the Group 1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on St Stephen’s Day.

The 2,000 metre weight-for-age contest, drew a field of 11 with Allan Sharrock’s Savabeel gelding just retaining favouritism over another Savabeel, Soriano. Adjusting to the slow early pace, Leith Innes settled Kawi at the rear from his wide gate.