Donna Logan says Habibi may be the superstar she’s been looking for all her career.
The Ekraar filly extended her unbeaten record to five starts in the Group Two Championship Stakes (2100m), sprinting away to beat Addictive Habit easily.
Logan and co-trainer Dean Logan have raced a number of top horses over the years from their Ruakaka base but she said she hasn’t had a superstar yet.
“When you look at the Wheelers and McKees and they’ve had their Sunlines and Rough Habits, we’ve never had our superstar,” she said.
“The reason why I keep thinking of this is that (Melbourne trainer) Cindy Alderson keeps ringing me and says `have you got your champion yet’?” she said.
“I can’t wait until she rings up next time because I’m going to say `I think I might have’.”
Habibi was backing up after winning the Great Northern Guineas (1600m) six days ago but Logan wanted to give her a start past 1600m and she appeared to enjoy the trip.
“The way she bounced back from the Guineas I thought I’d rather give her this trip today while she’s hard, fit and seasoned,” she said.
Jockey Vinny Colgan was able to get Habibi across from a wide draw to settle one off the fence in fourth place.
“I knew I had a bit of pace to spare to go forward. The lovely thing was when I got her in she dropped the bridle and relaxed,” Colgan said.
“When I pushed the button she was there in two strides. She’s untouched.”
Logan said Habibi would be given a brief let-up before being prepared for either the New Zealand Derby or the New Zealand Oaks
