High Hopes For Havana

The promise he displayed in England has translated into Australian success for Havana Cooler who attempts to improve on his record in the Listed Lord Mayor's Cup at Rosehill on Saturday, May 7.

A Newmarket winner and Royal Ascot placegetter as a three-year-old, Havana Cooler (John O'Shea/Brenton Avdulla) showed he had adapted well to his new environment when placed behind stablemate Magic Hurricane at G1 level at Randwick last Spring.

Under the care of trainer John O'Shea he has since produced a G3 win in the Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill in March followed by a G3 placing at his most recent outing.

"He didn't like the shifting track at all at his last start and did a good job to run as well as he did," O'Shea said.

"Everything he's done at home since has been positive and this race is no more difficult than anything he's run in lately, so I'm expecting another honest effort."

"The 2000 metres is a good trip for him and it looks as though he'll have the surface conditions that suit him."

Havana Cooler is opposed by a manageable group including the fellow imports Index Linked, Weary and Beyond Thankful.

"There are some nice horses in the race, but he has shown he's up to this class, but a better gate would have been welcomed."

Havana Cooler is one of seven runners for Godolphin in Sydney on a card which it is hoped will produce the stable's 20th two-year-old win of the season.

The candidate for that milestone is the unraced colt Archives, a son of Darley's dual-hemisphere, Australian-bred stallion Helmet.

Archives (John O'Shea/Adam Hyeronimus) makes his debut in the Tab.com.au Handicap at Rosehill.