Former Perth trainer Lindsey Smith is weighing up his options with Hooah Havana who is unbeaten in two starts at Warrnambool since arriving in Victoria.

The War Chant (USA) colt made the move east with Smith after being runner-up in all three of his starts at Northam earlier this season.  He won a 3yo maiden at the ‘Bool by three lengths in February and then doubled that in the Kevin Kavanagh Memorial (1000m) last week.

Hooah Havana (3c War Chant – Mojito City by Excellent Art) was bred in the south-west by Ross Price and graduated out of the Alwyn Park draft (as agent) for $27,500 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions.  “He’s a go-getter and this could be the launching pad for the city or back here in May,”  Smith predicted.  “The owners are from Perth and I’ve told them all about the Warrnambool Carnival.

“This was a strong form race and it showed he’s a quality colt and versatile, too.  He led to win first-up and let down from the tail today.  The War Chants are better when ridden back and this bloke can handle wet tracks so we’re covered even though he’s still a bit immature.”

Price trained his dam Mojito City to win a Pinjarra maiden and she has a 2yo colt and a weanling colt by Rivercrest Park stallion Ducimus (Snitzel).

Hooah Havana is one of a half-dozen individual winners by Yarradale Stud sire War Chant so far this month including Ascot winners Here’s Dreaming (Westspeed Platinum Autumn Final) and Leica Jaguar (Westspeed Platinum Hcp).

Leica Jaguar  (6g War Chant - Dane Commodore by Danetime) led home a Yarradale-sired quinella when he defeated City Angel (City Place) by over a length last Saturday.  He’s a homebred for Mike Fagan and that win was his first since a Boxing Day victory at Ascot in 2020.

“He was on the brink of retirement a while back,” trainer Neville Parnham revealed.  “He seemed to have lost his zest for racing but he’s been a handy horse and keeps chipping away although this will be his last preparation.  He’s had some soundness issues but is a lovely-looking horse and Mike has already made arrangements for his retirement.”

Fagan has been involved with the family going back to Leica Jaguar’s third-dam Commodore Girl (Trentin) who was bred by Peters Investments in 1978.

HOOAH HAVANA