Habana has developed a lucrative affinity with Pukekohe Park and the four-year-old again emphasised his love of the track with a perfect dress rehearsal performance ahead of a crack at a stakes prize.
Our son of Zoustar’s latest success came in Rating 86 company for his fourth win on the course from as many starts and we’re hoping he can make it a quintet of victories on his return next time out.
His goal is the G2 Easter Handicap in a fortnight’s time and the step up to a mile should be ideal for the four-year-old, who will drop significantly in weight after carrying 58.5kg in his latest success.
“I can’t fault him and the 1600 metres will be right up his alley,” regular rider Warren Kennedy said.
Trained by Lance Noble, Habana settled in behind the pace on the fence before finishing resolutely over 1400 metres and the sixth victory of his 11-start career.
“He loves the track and it was really courageous win. The second horse came at him and he wouldn’t give it away,” Kennedy said.
Habana was purchased privately out of the trials and is a son of the Mossman mare Jeter, who won on four occasions and finished fourth in the G1 Schweppes Oaks.