Zoustar G2 Winner for Cambridge Stud

Warren Kennedy made every post a winner at Pukekohe Park in New Zealand on New Year’s Day riding seven winners with the last of them the Lance Noble-trained Zoustar gelding Habana in the Group II Rich Hill Mile (1600m).

Fresh off taking the Group I 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 in the Cambridge Stud colours.

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.

“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.”

A $160,000 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale purchase for Lyndhurst Farm, Habana was withdrawn from sale as a yearling and passed in at the Ready to Run Sale at two. He has the overall record of eight wins from 16 starts with this victory his second stakes success.

Habana was bred by Aquis and partners and is the best of three winners from Jeter, a winning half-sister by Mossman to Group III winning sire Fast ‘n’ Famous from stakes-winner Zalinda, a daughter of Group I winner Alynda.