Three-year-old filly Ultimate Habit took an important step toward her tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday week with a strong trial win at Te Aroha on Wednesday.
The Robbie Patterson-trained filly was a stunning last-start winner of the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) and is rated a $9 chance in the Oaks in a market headed by $1.90 favourite Ohope Wins.
Ultimate Habit oozed quality when coming from last in an 1100m heat on Wednesday to win under her own steam in a trial against quality older horses.
“I wanted to go to the Ellerslie trials on Tuesday but we couldn't get a suitable trial there so I have had to come here to Te Aroha,” Patterson said.
“She finished off nicely against some good horses, and she's only three with a lot ahead of her in the future.”
Patterson said Ultimate Habit had made good progress since her Lowland victory, which came at just start number four for the daughter of Embellish.
“She's progressed very well. She is a beautiful filly and easy to work with,” he said.
“She came home in 32.7 (for the last 600m) the other day over 2100m. They just don't do that, so she's something special and if we can get her to relax over the 2400m at Ellerslie, she's going to give Ohope Wins a run for her money, I hope.”
Patterson knows what it takes to prepare a New Zealand Oaks winner, having saddled last year’s winner Leica Lucy, who also progressed from a win in the Lowland Stakes.
Equally pleased with Wednesday’s hit-out was rider Craig Grylls, who said the filly handled going right-handed for the first time with aplomb.
“That was a really nice trial today,” he said. “She's improved again. I was thinking that dropping back to an 1100 metre trial today that she might be a little bit flat.
“The objective was to let her have a go around this way and it was a shame they deleted the open heats from Ellerslie yesterday so Rob's decided to come here and I think it's been well worth the trip.
“She got around this direction with no problem and just relaxed well. All I really did was bring her into the clear with 250m to run and she's picked them up nicely.
“She's a pretty smart filly and it looks like she's continuing to improve so I'm really looking forward to the Oaks in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Ultimate Habit was bred by Hawke’s Bay couple Graham and Isabell Roddick and stems from the same family as 11-time Group One winner Rough Habit. – NZ Racing Desk
