Lance Noble is keen to test the versatility of his well-performed sprinter-miler Habana this preparation.
Cambridge Stud’s private trainer has the son of Zoustar in good order to resume at Ellerslie in Saturday’s open 1400m handicap, appropriately named in the honour of farm resident Almanzor.
Noble will be hoping the smart debut victory of Flash Effect on the synthetic track at Cambridge on Wednesday can be a forerunner to further success in the coming days.
“The (outside) draw wasn’t ideal but she has always showed a bit of speed out of the gates, we thought she could cross and it helps to be handy on the all-weather,” he said.
“She showed a good turn of foot and tenacity to keep going, so it was good result.”
Habana has won eight races up to 1600m, including the Gr.3 Rich Hill Mile and the Listed Fulton Family Mile and will be tested over more ground with a summer Group One goal in mind.
“We are quite keen to see if he can stetch out to 2000m this time around and I think he will the way he races,” Noble said.
“He does relax and has always hit the line well over a mile, so the main target will be the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m).
“We are conscious that he is a gelding and quite high up in the ratings so he’s always going to be carrying a lot of weight in handicap. The weight-for-age route might be a bit easier on him.”
Habana hasn’t raced since he finished midfield in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) and will, as usual be partnered by Warren Kennedy.
“He’s very well and is another year older, but he’s had two trials and gone well in both of them,” Noble said.
“He’s a big, strong horse and to me he has come back as well as ever.
“He runs well fresh, whether he can win over 1400m first-up with 60kg is another story but I’m sure he’ll run well.”
Stakes-performed stablemate Luberon will also make a fresh start at Ellerslie in the Sistema Handicap (1200m).
“She has come up well and has gone really well in two trials,” Noble said.
“She had a couple of hiccups at the end of last season, but she sees over them and I’m looking forward to seeing her back on the track.”
Kennedy will be aboard Embellish mare Luberon and he will also guide the fortunes of barnmates Vallarta (The Belle Family Handicap, 1100m) and Love Symbol (NZB Mega Maiden Series, 1200m).
Per Incanto’s daughter Vallarta is a genuine type with a win and four placings from seven appearances.
“She didn’t do a lot wrong last season from limited starts and trialled up nicely,” Noble said.
“She has won at Taupo before, she’s got a good draw and I expect her to be pretty competitive.”
Well-bred Savabeel filly Love Symbol, a member of the famed Eight Carat family, and her unplaced effort on debut last season isn’t indicative of the ability she possesses.
“I’ve got a bit of time for her, she has been a bit of a handful at the starting gates, but hopefully we are over that,” Noble said.
“She has showed plenty at home, she just needs to put it all together on race day and she is getting better all the time.”