3 minute read

Ready to Run Sale graduate Habana (Zoustar) added even more lustre to his outstanding record at Pukekohe when he scored a stunning last-stride win in the $225,000 Group Two Rich Hill Mile (1600m) on New Year's Day.

Passed in with a $200,000 reserve at the 2020 Ready to Run Sale, Habana has now had 16 starts for eight wins, three placings and $402,525 in prize-money. Remarkably, he has recorded six wins and a placing from seven appearances at Pukekohe.

Habana rose rapidly through the grades last season, winning four races between December and April and then placing in the Group Three Easter Handicap (1600m). He has continued that rise as a five-year-old, winning the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) before finishing a close fifth in last month's Group One TAB Classic (1600m) after being affected by the false start.

New Year's Day brought a new career highlight in the Rich Hill Mile, carrying a 58-kilogram topweight to a thrilling win.

One of an incredible seven winners on the Pukekohe card for jockey Warren Kennedy, Habana settled in the back half of the field before coming to the outside at the top of the straight and beginning to move through his gears. Habana warmed into his work and lengthened stride, gradually reeling in Saint Bathans (Maurice) and pipping him right on the post to win by a short head.

"He's such a neat horse," said Lance Noble, who trains Habana for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay. "He's got a few quirks and makes you work a little bit, but he's so genuine on the racetrack. For him to carry the top weight and win like that gives me a lot of satisfaction.

"Warren knows this horse so well and really knows how to get his head down on the line. They're a great team."

Kennedy was quick to pay tribute to Habana's connections.

"That was absolutely fantastic and especially for Cambridge Stud, who are huge supporters of mine," he said. "A big thank you to Lance and his whole team.

"Everything has come together and I actually thought I had got beaten, so luck was definitely on my side. This horse didn't get that luck last time, and coming in here he was topweight and the class horse of the field. Class has prevailed."

Habana was part of a huge New Year's Day for the Lindsays, whose colours were also carried to feature victories by About Time (NZ) (American Pharoah) in the Group Two Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m) and Not An Option (Not a Single Doubt) in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.