Racing: Habibti faces stern first-up task at Addington

Tabcorp Park Melton, Habibti Trot (TM1 to TM3) Winner Cold Sister (4) driven by Nathan Jack. Photo / Stuart McCormick

Trotting's fastest mum is ready to put her forgotten horse tag behind her but even a winning trial yesterday isn't enough to get trainer David Butt hyped for an early comeback win.

Habibti is a multiple group one winner who has, not once but twice, looked destined to become an open class heroine.

In December 2013, she became one of the few 4-year-old trotting mares ever in this part of the world to win a major open class trot at Melton, only to be robbed of the serious part of that season by soreness.

She returned looking better than ever last spring, downing the big three of trotting in Stent, Master Lavros and Sheemon last October before damaging a suspensory.

That has seen her off the scene for almost a year, during which she has had an embryo transfer foal.

Habibti is ready to race again judging by the way she downed Belles Son at the Ashburton trials yesterday yet Butt doubts she is ready to win when she resumes at Addington on Friday night.

Not only is she up against old foes Stent and Master Lavros but Habibti put on plenty of condition during her enforced layoff.

"She will need a couple of runs because she has been away from the races for such a long time," says Butt.

"I am happy with where she is at but at the moment what matters most is getting her through a couple of races.

"When a horse has had a suspensory problem like she has this is the time you worry the most, where the pressure of trialling and racing goes on it. So we are hoping she holds together and improves with a couple of runs.

"But I'd be surprised if she could beat horses like Stent and Master Lavros this Friday."

The trot is a bonus for Addington officials, who for just $12,000 have lured not only the big three but last season's mare of the year, Kincaslough.

Yesterday's other main trial at Ashburton saw Dalton Bromac impress with a 26-second last 400m to win the pacing heat, in which last season's NZ Cup runner up Franco Nelson was again disappointing for new trainer Michael House.

After his performance to push Adore Me to her race record in the Cup last November, Franco Nelson has been kept safe in most markets but has looked well below his best at the trials so far and his right odds are about $30, rather than the $14 the TAB is offering.

Meanwhile, Zac Butcher will stick with Sky Major over fellow Jewels winning stablemate Lancewood Lizzie when the pair resume in the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.

Both are still safely in the field for the NZ Cup on November 10, with Sky Major's participation probably more guaranteed than that of Lancewood Lizzie.

Bit Of A Legend was the big mover in the latest Cup rankings yesterday, jumping from 23rd to 18th after his third at Addington last Friday and that puts him almost in the field with at least some of the Australians ranked ahead of him unlikely to make the trip and Jason Rulz soon on his way to race in Perth.