Logan and Gibbs eyeing weight-for-age haul
RUAKAKA trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs are planning to have all the early weight-for-age bases covered, and a pair of familiar runners will be looking to kick the season off in the right way.
The trainers will be relying on their group one performers Volkstok’n’barrell and Wyndspelle to get the stable away to a flying start this season.
Both horses are on target to contest the Group Two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa and then it will be Wyndspelle who represents the team in the Group One Tarzino Trophy on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival on September 2.
“That’s definitely on Wyndspelle’s agenda and his last run will tighten him up a lot,” Logan said.
The winner of Group Two Waikato Guineas and Group One placed in the Diamond Stakes during his two-year-old campaign, the son of Iffraaj recently finished sixth when resuming over 1200m on his home course.
Logan said there was no shame in the second half of the field finish.
“I wasn’t disappointed with him at all,” Logan said. “He hadn’t had a trial and he will improve a lot.”
The path will be somewhat different for Volkstok’n’barrell.
The Tavistock gelding returned to his best to win the Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes in February before a hoof issue prevented it from defending its Group One New Zealand Stakes title and he was turned out.
Logan said the gun galloper has returned in great order and will target a pair of group races in September.
“Volkstok’n’barrell is looking at the Foxbridge and that will then set him up for the last two group ones at Hawke’s Bay.”