For decades the magic waters of Karioitahi Beach on Auckland’s south-west coast have done wonders in reviving the careers of racehorses.
Now they’re being put to the test with proven performer Habana (Zoustar), who is set to have his first start for Waiuku trainers Moira and Kieran Murdoch in the Nikau Contractors 1400 at Pukekohe Park on Friday.
Karioitahi Beach gained fame as far back as the 1960s, when Clyde Conway put the crashing breakers and black sand to fruitful use with champion jumper Smoke Ring and a string of proven flat gallopers whose careers had reached stalemate in more conventional stables.
During the 1970s and ’80s Neville Atkins tapped into the local environment with excellent results, initially with jumpers and then with top-class stayers Ring The Bell (NZ) (Rangong), Secured Deposit (NZ) (Kirrama) and Kaiser (NZ) (Ruling).
Accomplished horsewoman Moira Murdoch was the next to gain fame from her base out west, capped by 1990s weight-for-age performer Solvit (NZ) (Morcon), whose wins included the Gr.1 W S Cox Plate (2040m), Gr.1 Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
Murdoch, who these days trains in partnership with her daughter Kieran, has now been tasked with reviving the career of Habana.
When with his original trainer Lance Noble, the Zoustar gelding won eight races, headed by the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Pukekohe in 2024.
That race was in fact the seven-year-old’s last win and even though he has shown glimpses of form since, there’s been something missing.
“He had a bout of colic which required surgery and while we haven’t been able to put the finger on it, it seems he hasn’t quite been the same since,” Murdoch said.
“Lance and I talked about it and he said ‘Let’s just give him a change of scenery and see if that works’.
“He’s a lovely horse, an absolute gentleman, and his work since coming here has been good, he’s had no trouble fitting in.”
Murdoch has had a long and fruitful relationship with Habana’s owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, which includes training their first-ever Group One winner Marky Mark (Makfi), who won the 2015 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
“We’ve always worked together to try and get the best from the horses and that’s the approach we’ve taken with Habana,” Murdoch added.
“We gave him a trial at Avondale last week and he went well enough just in behind the placegetters. Warren (Kennedy) rode him and said he felt happy and comfortable, but the acid test will be when the pressure comes on under raceday conditions.”
Kennedy will ride the Noble-trained Mollify (NZ) (So You Think) in the same race on Friday, but Murdoch is happy to have engaged three-kilogram claimer Sam McNab, who notched his biggest win to date on Omega Boy (NZ) (Time Test) in last Saturday’s Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m).
“He seems a good lad who rides well, so it’s a positive to be able to get Habana’s handicap down to 57 kilos.
“He’s drawn just right for him at five, that should allow him to settle handy but away from the fence. For a little guy he’s got a long stride, so it would be good to see him with a bit of room to work in.
“We’re going in with an open mind, we’re happy with the horse and hopefully he’ll get the good ground he prefers and be able to show us something.”