HABIBI took out the Group1 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on Saturday. She raced midfield on the rail, jockey Vinny Colgan managed to get out for a clear run turning for home and she flew down the outside to overcome FIX 2nd and CASTLEBERG 3rd close to the line. She has now had 7 raceday starts for 6 wins.
HABIBI is trained by Donna and Dean Logan, it was their first Derby win, they just missed taking out the race when EL DUCE finished second to SO CASUAL in 1998, "Honesty pays because HABIBI'S owners gave us a horse to train years ago and I sent it back because it was useless. They said then they would send us a good one to train one day," said Donna Logan
Dean Logan, "It was a beautiful ride and he got her off the fence at the right time, he's a genius. I can't believe it. I've felt more pressure going into a maiden race at Ruakaka, everything has just gone so smoothly."
The EKRAAR filly was bred by New Plymouth couple Peter and Heather Crofskey and raced by them with son Gavin, a former jumps jockey, and family friend Pam McIntyre.
Heather Crofskey, "It's like being on top of Everest. I"m really proud to be part of this wonderful industry, and to think that little people like us can have a dream, set out for it, and achieve it."
Jockey Vinny Colgan, riding in possibly his last New Zealand Derby as he is set to take up a position riding for Tony McEvoy in Adelaide next month, had previously won the Blue Riband event with ROYSYN in 1995, two years later aboard ZONDA, in 1999 with HADES and then again on the Australian visitor REDOUTE'S DANCER in 2007. "It's another dream come true. She didn't start as well as I wanted but after passing the post the first time she went to sleep and then I had FIX a couple of lengths in front and I tagged on to her and we dealt to them at the finish."
