New Zealand, February 1 - Ill-fated sire General Nediym passed away just over a year ago and as often happens with such stallions their career goes into overdrive, the former star juvenile represented by a flurry of brilliant two year-olds this season including Australian trained, but NZ bred filly Sister Havana, who won the Karaka Million at Ellerslie on Sunday afternoon.

Prepared in Brisbane by top class trainer Liam Birchley, Sister Havana had just three previous starts before heading to New Zealand.

Luckless when seventh on debut in the Listed AJC Gimcrack Stakes last spring, Sister Havana was then given a let-up before bolting in at Doomben on January 2 in a juvenile maiden over 1030 metres.

Sent out a raging hot favourite at her final appearance in Australia on January 16 at Eagle Farm, the filly was slowly away and had trouble getting a run before finishing fourth.

Connections were obviously prepared to forgive that defeat and were repaid in handsome fashion when the athletic chestnut enjoyed the perfect run in transit for Stathi Katsidis just behind the leaders before powering away to win the Karaka Million by the best part of two lengths from Icepin, the time for the 1200 metre journey a more than handy 1:09.7.

Liam Birchley is no stranger to Ellerslie having saddled Sarge in Charge to finish second in the race last year, the winner on that occasion The Heckler also sired by a Widden Stud based sire in Lucky Owners.

“It’s been terrific to finish second last year and then get a little justice. The good gate made the difference,” Birchley said.

“I was happy the whole way and told Stathi to do what he thought was best. He’s got the x-factor. The blokes a genius and he can pull a rabbit out of a hat. He’s the only bloke I wanted to come over to ride her and was very happy that he would come over.”

Katsidis partnered Sister Havana when she finished fourth at Eagle Farm.

 “Liam produced the horse in fine order. She’s certainly improved since I last rode her and putting the winkers on was a master stroke by Liam,” he said.

Sister Havanahas now won two of four starts earning $562,770, a phenomenal return on her modest purchase price of just $40,000.

Plucked from the draft of Shelby Park during the 2009 NZB Select Yearling Sale, Sister Havana is certainly bred to be up and going at two as her dam Ultima Vita is by Golden Slipper winner Canny Lad from the family of juvenile speedsters such as Blue Diamond winner Reward for Effort and Magic Millions winner Catnipped.

General Nediym has now opened up a big lead on the juvenile sires list both in Australia and New Zealand, his star performers Military Rose, Sister Havana, Sweet Cheeks, Marmaa and Big River.