Racing: Sister Havana has thrived

Karaka Million winner Sister Havana is scheduled to have two further starts in New Zealand, beginning with the group two Matamata Breeders' Stakes on February 27.

The Queensland-trained filly was given a 10-day break at Hallmark Stud after her Ellerslie win and connections have decided to run her in the Matamata fillies' feature followed by the group one Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on March 13.

"She thrived during the break with plenty of good New Zealand grass in her and it makes sense to stay on for a couple of highly-rated races," Sister Havana's trainer Liam Birchley said.

"On top of the Karaka Million stake, a win in either the group two race at Matamata or the group one at Ellerslie would do wonders for her value."

Sister Havana, a $40,000 purchase from the Shelby Park draft at last year's National Yearling Sale, is back with Pukekohe trainers Garry Newham and Gareth McRae, with whom she was based in the days leading up to the Karaka Million.

"She came back from Hallmark Stud a box of birds," said Newham, a former Queenslander who prepared Starcraft for his campaign in New Zealand in the spring of 2004.

Birchley plans to be at Pukekohe tomorrow morning when the General Nediym filly has her first serious gallop since the Karaka Million.

A jockey for the Matamata Breeders' Stakes has to be confirmed, with usual rider Stathi Katsidis possibly required for mounts in Sydney.

"Ideally we'd like Stathi to stay with her but that's something we'll have to work through," Birchley said.

"I'd understand if his Sydney commitments meant he couldn't, so if necessary we'll look at using a New Zealand jockey."