New Zealand Derby winner Habibi (NZ) has arrived in the United States to continue her new career with Kentucky Derby winning trainer Graham Motion.

Habibi (Ekraar) was farewelled by trainer Donna Logan in Sydney last week.  “She arrived in New York in Monday and from all reports she travelled like a real lady,” Logan said.  “She will be in quarantine until Thursday and then fly to California for a good spell.

“I owed it to her to say goodbye and there were lots of cuddles and she left in magnificent order.  She’s strengthened up no end through the shoulder and across the rump – she looked fantastic.”

Habibi sustained a fractured pastern in the G1 Australian Oaks in April, however, the injury didn’t affect her sale to high-profile American owner George Strawbridge.

Logan said Habibi will acclimatise and then return to work with her long-term goal the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf.   Her new trainer Graham Motion prepared Animal Kingdom to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup before his sale to Arrowfield and Darley.

Strawbridge has enjoyed a memorable fortnight with his brilliant mare Moonlight Cloud completing a Group 1 double in the Prix Jacques le Marois and Prix Maurice de Gheest.

HABIBI