Racing: New environment key for Smith

Mmooza and Docmelfi have joined the stable of Gavin Smith, who has won seven races since he transferred his team to Ashworth's Beach from Rangiora two months ago.

Mmooza won four races when trained at West Melton by John Howe.

She had her most recent win in the Greymouth Cup at Victoria Park in March last year.

She also won the Nelson Cup.

Docmelfi won two races for Allan and Lee Georgeson.

"We are hoping a change of environment will spark them up," Smith said.

Smith has won 10 races in his first full season as a public trainer.

He has won with Zena's Art (two), Carim Courage, Our Southern Man, Jasper Maguire (two) and Long John Anvil, since shifting to the property of Mike Stevens, who scaled down his activities as a trainer.

"All the horses are broken in to saddle and can be ridden in the surf or worked in the cart on the forest tracks," Smith said.

"There is also a 700m track."

Smith has Zena's Art, Our Southern Man and Jasper Maguire in the $15,000 Motukarara Cup on Friday.

Our Southern Man, owned by Smith's parents, Perrin and Heather, of Invercargill, won as a 3yr-old when trained by Clark Barron.

The Jeremys Gambit gelding was away from racing for two years after he fractured two cannon bones.

He was transferred to Gavin last season.

Zena's Art was a dashing winner at Waikouaiti on Sunday.

She won at Motukarara last month.

Jasper Maguire, who will be driven by Sam Smolenski, has won at Methven and Richmond Park.

Sister Havana, winner of the Karaka Million, is scheduled to have two more starts in New Zealand, the next in the Matamata Breeders' Stakes on February 27, NZPA reports.

The Queensland-trained filly was given a 10-day break at Hallmark Stud, Te Kauwahata, following her Ellerslie win on January 31.

She also has the Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on her programme.

"She thrived during the break with plenty of good New Zealand grass in her and it makes sense to stay on for a couple of highly-rated races," Liam Birchley, the trainer of Sister Havana, said.

Sister Havana, a $40,000 purchase, is back with Pukekohe trainers Garry Newham and Gareth McRae.