Last year's New Zealand Derby winner Habibi will make her American debut in a Grade Two race at Santa Anita.

The Royal Heroine Stakes (1600m) on Saturday (Sunday AEST) will be the mare's first start since she was injured during the 2013 Australian Oaks in which she ran fourth to Royal Descent.

Trained by Donna and Dean Logan, Habibi suffered a fractured hind pastern in the Classic and remained in Australia while she recovered.

Her new owner George Strawbridge sent her to Californian trainer Dan Blacker who originally planned to run her in this weekend's $500,000 Santa Anita Gold Cup (2000m).

But she had a cough and missed a lead-up race so Blacker decided to start her off in the 1600m event with Brice Blanc to ride.

Habibi has raced just nine times for six wins, two thirds and her Oaks fourth.