Warren Kennedy has stamped an indelible mark on New Zealand racing with the ex-pat South African jockey dominating proceedings at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day with seven wins, including four of the five feature events on the card.
Fresh off a suspension that cost him riding on Boxing Day, Kennedy made every post a winner and produced one of the rides of the day on the Lance Noble-trained Habana in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m).
Fresh off taking the Group 1 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 from a gallant Saint Bathans.
Swedish native Ulrika Holmquist was giggling when she turned for home on the Andrew Forsman-prepared runner-up as he travelled sweetly and quickly established a two-length break on her rivals.
Still in front at the 100m she began to get desperate as Kennedy and Habana loomed large in her peripheral vision and her heart must have sunk as the goal of winning her first stakes race in New Zealand was taken from her as the favourite thrust out his head and snatched the victory.
2024 Group 2 Rich Hill Mile Replay – Habana
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.”
By Zoustar, Habana is out of four race winner Jeter, who is a half-sister to Group Three winner Fast ‘N’ Famous, with Habana’s granddam Zalinda a daughter of Group 1 Railway Handicap (1200m) winner Alynda.
He has now won eight of his 16 starts and over $402,000 in prizemoney, with six of those wins coming from seven starts at Pukekohe.
The seven victories by Kennedy sets a new mark for most wins on a raceday in New Zealand with five other riders having achieved six including Lance O’Sullivan, who now as a trainer in partnership with Andrew Scott provided Kennedy with three of his winning mounts in Grande Gallo, Karman Line and Waitak.
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