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Star Kiwi mare back in training; Group One performer paddock-bound; Kiwi apprentice joins Price; Bambry plotting Oaks path; Bounding out of Telegraph.

Star Kiwi mare back in training

Habibi has recently returned to work in the United States where her progress has been thwarted by injury.

The Gr.1 New Zealand Derby winner was unplaced at Santa Anita last June in her sole appearance.

“She’s just come back into work after she had quite a bad hoof problem,” former co-trainer Donna Logan said.

“Her new trainer (Dan Blacker) seems quite confident he can get her to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Group One performer paddock-bound

Smart filly Platinum Balos remains on the easy list following multiple surgeries.

“She’s still out and she won’t be tried again until the autumn,” trainer Lisa Latta said.

Platinum Balos showed her quality last season with placings in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes and the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes before succumbing to bone chip injuries.

“She was operated on twice,” Latta said. “It wasn’t a success the first time so we’ll just give her time and then see if she’s going to come back,” Latta said.

Kiwi apprentice joins Price

Talented apprentice Michael Dee has made the move across the ditch to further his experience under Caulfield-based trainer Mick Price.

The rider of 106 winners over three seasons in New Zealand, the 18-year-old is currently in Melbourne settling in.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I have Harry Bull to thank for the introduction to Mick Price,” said Dee.

With the majority of his New Zealand win tally not classed as metropolitan wins in Australia, Dee will still claim 3kg at city meetings, a valuable asset as he looks to garner a foothold in the competitive Melbourne racing scene.

Bambry plotting Oaks path

Awapuni trainer Tony Bambry has promising filly Acquisto on a steady path which, should she continue to progress, could culminate in a tilt at the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks.

Third in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas in September behind Twya and Platinum Witness, Acquisto raced below par at her next two outings. However, Bambry feels he now has the measure of the filly, who broke maiden ranks in style in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race at Otaki on Monday.

“We’ve ironed out a few issues we had with her tying up and she’s now a good, fit horse so she ate up overnight and has come through the run well,” Bambry said.

Bounding out of Telegraph

The hoof injury that ruled Bounding out of the Gr.1 Railway Stakes will also keep her away from Trentham.

Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have been forced to withdraw last season’s champion sprinter from the Gr.1 J & N Berkett Telegraph at Trentham on January 17.

“It counts her out of any summer racing and the best case scenario now is Sydney in the autumn,” Ken Kelso told The Informant.