The last thing trainer Oliver Koolman wanted on Emirates 2004 Melbourne Cup day at Flemington was rain, but unfortunately the heavens opened before the big race and Koolman was looking at a rain affected track for his talented five-year-old Kiawah.
Koolman was saddling up Kiawah for the last race, a $100,000 Restricted event over 1400m and with the way Kiawah had been running in the lead up, meant Koolman was justifiably high on confidence.

He ran third when resuming behind And Shintaro beaten a long neck. Then he ran second in a blanket finish behind Racer's Success at Rosehill, beaten a half neck.

Just 10 days later he set out over 1400m at Rosehill and had to settle for third behind To Be Fair and Bear Canyon. Luck deserted him in his fourth start when beaten a short head by Happy Ways at Rosehill when his rider dropped the whip at a vital stage.
He was ready to run the race of his life on Melbourne Cup day but as soon as the rain fell Koolman's confidence evaporated.
"He just doesn't go as well on a rain affected track, he needs to be on top of the ground," said Koolman.

Kiawah though doesn't know how to put in a bad performance and despite adverse conditions he fought a courageous fight and ran second behind Geelong Magestique.

Kiawah races in the colours of pale blue with pale green diagonal stripes and sleeves the colours worn by riders of the great Red Anchor.

Part-owned by John Gigante who owned Red Anchor, Kiawah was recommended to him by bloodstock agent Anton Koolman:

"Anton said if I wanted to get back into racing this was the horse for me and Oliver was the trainer.
"I always hoped one day I would be able to use these colours again so I kept paying the registration fee every year, and this horse has been very good to us."

Kiawah has now raced on 25 occasions for four wins and nine placings and as soon as the tracks dry out Kiawah will be back in the winner's circle sooner, rather than later.