This is a very smart horse and I have already backed it to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Kia Ora Koutou (Image: Western Racepix)

Kia Ora Koutou eastward-bound?

Last year’s Victoria Derby placegetter Kia Ora Koutou makes his return to racing on Saturday at Ascot in Perth, but don’t be surprised to see him being trained in the eastern states when put on a Cups campaign next spring.

His trainer Adam Durrant, who is reigning champion trainer in WA, confirmed on Friday that he will train Kia Ora Koutou through to the WA Derby in April before taking 12 months away from racing to travel the world.

“It’s just the perfect time for me to take a break from racing and travel around Australia and see the world,” Durrant said.

“My foreman Jason Miller will take over the stable but I’m not sure whether this horse will be staying as his future is probably over your way (eastern states).”

WATCH: Kia Ora Koutou’s Derby run

Durrant explained that Kia Ora Koutou had overcome a cut knee that forced the cancellation of a proposed sale to Hong Kong late last spring.

“We were well into the process of selling him after the (Victoria) Derby and then one day he tried to commit suicide and cut his knee,” Durrant said.

“It wasn’t overly serious but was just in a difficult spot to treat.”

Kia Ora Koutou had won all his four races before he faced the starter in the Victoria Derby. After drifting a long way from the pace he finished powerfully for third, beaten 6.5 lengths by Tarzino.

 As for Saturday’s first-up run - in the listed Lex Piper Stakes over 1600 metres - Durrant expects Kia Ora Koutou will find a few of his rivals a little speedy.

“His condition is really good and he’s ready to go,” he said. “We’ve got no issues with him - its just that he’s got a tricky barrier and so we are going to have to ride him quietly.

“It’s probably not go-day tomorrow but if they go hard enough out in front, he should be finishing hard.”

	Kia Ora Koutou TRAINER A.G.Durrant
AGE 3YO SEX Gelding COLOUR Bay PRIZE MONEY $319,150 LAST 5 1113- CAREER 5-4-0-1