Racing: Jockey set for Karaka Millions

BRISBANE: Queensland jockey Stathi Katsidis hopes to continue his big race form when he heads to New Zealand later this month to partner talented Queensland filly Sister Havana in the Karaka Millions at Ellerslie on January 31.

Katsidis, who has had a roller-coaster career, was successful on the Gillian Heinrich-trained Military Rose in last week's A$2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast.

It was a timely win for Katsidis who has made a remarkable comeback from a fractured leg and serving time out of racing on a recreational drugs charge last year.

Sister Havana, an impressive Doomben winner at only her second start on January 2, is booked to fly to New Zealand on January 25 if she pleases trainer Liam Birchley in today's Number 1 In Racing Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm.

Birchley paid $40,000 for the daughter of General Nediym at the Karaka yearling sales.

The $1 million Karaka Millions on January 31 is restricted to horses sold as yearlings at the Karaka sales last year.

Katsidis was struck down by a virus this week forcing him to stand down from riding at Doomben on Wednesday and Ipswich on Thursday.

However, his manager Trevor Lansky said he would be fit to ride at Eagle Farm today.

Sister Havana impressed Birchley so much in her early 2-year-old trials that he sent her to Sydney for her debut in the listed Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on October 3.

The filly finished only seventh to Gybe but Birchley believed she should have finished in the placings.

"She should have run a place in the Gimcrack," Birchley said.

"I had Stathi booked to ride her in Sydney but at the last minute he couldn't go down so Jay Ford rode her."

Birchley will be making his second attempt to win the Karaka Millions after Sarge In Charge was runner-up to The Heckler in last year's feature.

"I thought Sarge In Charge was very unlucky not to win the Karaka Millions last year," Birchley said.

Sister Havana, who will be ridden by Katsidis at Eagle Farm, has drawn ideally in barrier one.

Birchley believes the field lacks depth, but is wary about several first starters.

"It doesn't look a strong race and lacks a bit of depth but I don't know much about some of the first starters," he said. "She's drawn perfectly and has got the pace to lead.

"But she can also take a sit if she has to."

Birchley was reluctant to compare Sister Havana to Sarge In Charge but believed the filly had more natural ability.

"They are two different types, but Sister Havana is a natural and has learned everything fairly quickly and is still improving," he said.

"She goes good and she won very well first-up at Doomben. I couldn't have expected her to go any better."

Sister Havana won by almost four lengths when she was successful over 1030m at Doomben.

- AAP