G2 Rich Hill Mile to Zoustar's Habana

Media Release - Monday January 1

Warren Kennedy has stamped an indelible mark on New Zealand racing with the ex-pat South African jockey dominating proceedings at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day with seven wins, including four of the five feature events on the card.

Warren Kennedy recording his seventh win of the day aboard Habana (outside) in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Pukekohe on New Year's Day.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Fresh off a suspension that cost him riding on Boxing Day, Kennedy made every post a winner and produced one of the rides of the day on the Lance Noble-trained Habana in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m).

Fresh off taking the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) with a last-to-first performance on Waitak, Kennedy produced an almost carbon copy of that effort as he lifted the race topweight Habana (58kgs) across the line to snatch victory in the very last stride from a gallant Saint Bathans.

Swedish native Ulrika Holmquist was giggling when she turned for home on the Andrew Forsman-prepared runner-up as he travelled sweetly and quickly established a two-length break on her rivals.

Still in front at the 100m she began to get desperate as Kennedy and Habana loomed large in her peripheral vision and her heart must have sunk as the goal of winning her first stakes race in New Zealand was taken from her as the favourite thrust out his head and snatched the victory.

Kennedy was at his typically understated best as he paid tribute to the horse, Noble and winning owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay.

“That was absolutely fantastic and especially for Cambridge Stud as they are huge supporters of mine,” Kennedy said.

“To Lance and the whole team just a big thank you and there really are so many people to thank.

“It has been such a great day and I just couldn’t ask for anything better.

“Everything has come together and I actually thought I had got beaten, so luck was definitely on my side.

Advertisement

“He didn’t get that luck last time and coming in here he was topweight and the class horse of the field and with him class has prevailed.”

Noble was a picture of uncertainty as he waited to hear the judge’s call on the finish and was relieved when it went in his favour.

“A lot of satisfaction out of that as he is such a genuine horse although he has a few quirks and makes you work for it,” he said.

“Topweight and winning like that gives me a lot of satisfaction.

“He doesn’t have the greatest feet so it’s a big thank you to our farrier and all our crew at home that do such a tremendous job with the horses.

“You don’t have to give him (Kennedy) too many instructions and when I told him where the best part of the track was he said he knew as he had won a few today.”

By Zoustar, Habana was a $160,000 MM National Weanling Sale purchase and is out of four race winner Jeter, who is a half-sister to Group Three winner Fast ‘N’ Famous, with Habana’s granddam Zalinda a daughter of Gr.1 Railway Handicap (1200m) winner Alynda.

He has now won eight of his 16 starts and over $402,000 in prizemoney, with six of those wins coming from seven starts at Pukekohe.

The seven victories by Kennedy sets a new mark for most wins on a raceday in New Zealand with five other riders having achieved six including Lance O’Sullivan, who now as a trainer in partnership with Andrew Scott provided Kennedy with three of his winning mounts in Grande Gallo, Karman Line and Waitak. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Rich Hill Mile Gr2 1600m

Pukekohe Park Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:35.94
1
Habana
- 5g Zoustar (AUS) x Jeter (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: W B Kennedy 58
Zoustar
2
0.1
Saint Bathans
- 5g Maurice (JPN) x Princess Natural (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: U A Holmquist 52
3
0.9
El Vencedor
- 5g Shocking (AUS) x Strictly Maternal (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: Joe Doyle 57
4
2.2
Arby
- 4g Proisir (AUS) x Reiveke (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Darryn & Briar Weatherley Rdr: A C Goindasamy 52
5
2.4
Dusty Road
- 4g Shamexpress (NZ) x Valotia (NZ) (Cape Blanco (IRE))
Tnr: G J Cameron Rdr: T L Newman 52
6
2.6
Cognito
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Lady Primrose (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: N S Parmar 52
7
2.9
Uderzo
- 5g Vadamos (FR) x Etosha Lass (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: M Hashizume 52
8
3.7
Riodini
- 7g Proisir (AUS) x Giardini (NZ) (Perfectly Ready (AUS))
Tnr: N W Tiley Rdr: J R Collett 57.5
9
5.7
Zecora
- 6m Power (GB) x C'est La Vie (NZ) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: R & R Rogers Rdr: L H Satherley 52.5
10
8
Lingjun Xiongfeng
- 5h The Factor (USA) x Harvest Start (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: Billy Jacobson 53
11
10.4
Wessex
- 4m Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Trepidation (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: K Asano 53
12
11.3
Aris Aris
- 5m Contributer (IRE) x Irish Encore (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: M Cameron 52
More Reading...
Toronado Withdrawn from Service
Victorian breeders have been dealt a blow with Swettenham Stud announcing on Sunday evening that their champion sire Toronado (IRE) would not cover any mares in 2025 as he recovers from a significant infection that caused lameness.
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 7
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Derby Dreaming for Crown of Russia
Danny O’Brien already has one promising winner by his former G1 star Russian Camelot (IRE) in the stable in Censori and on Sunday at Bendigo he unleashed another.
Ones to Watch – Bendigo
At this time of year, you tend to take special notice of well-bred 3YO debut winners and three of them arrived at Bendigo on Sunday that were all interesting for different reasons and none more so than one who has a name that has become infamous this year.
Barneswood Farm Trans Tasman Strike
A trans-Tasman ownership double prompted long and enthusiastic celebrations for Ashburton’s Barneswood Farm.
G1 Goal for Zoustar Sprinter
Habana turned in an uncharacteristically below-par effort at his most recent outing and Lance Noble is understandably prepared to give the five-year-old the benefit of the doubt and move on.
Impressive First Foals for Don Corleone
The first son of outstanding sire Extreme Choice to find his way to Queensland, Group I performer Don Corleone proved very popular with breeders last spring covering 133 mares at Eureka Stud and his first foals are exactly what you might hope for.
New G1 Winner for Wootton Bassett
Back in Australia for another season at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett (GB) was expected to get a 3YO Group I winner in France on Sunday, but the horse that got the job done was not the one punters expected.
Shamus Award Mare Quintessa Cracks $1million in Prizemoney
Karaka graduate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) became a millionaire and a dual Group One winner with a stunning last-to-first performance in the $400,000 Group One Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Zoustar 7YO Chasing G1 for Cambridge Stud
South Africa will tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night and earlier in the day a horse named after one of their favourite sons will be vying for Group One glory down the road at Ellerslie Racecourse.