Future up in the air for Volkstok’n’barrell
THE possibility of a rescheduled Group One Livamol Classic will keep Volkstok’n’barrell at home for the time being.
Saturday’s abandonment of the Hawke’s Bay meeting prior to the running of the weight-for-age feature has placed the multiple group one winner’s spring programme into borderline disarray.
Trainer Donna Logan, who trains the 2015 New Zealand Derby winner alongside Chris Gibbs, said a trip across the Tasman could now be off the cards.
“I was going to send him to Sydney to race next weekend, but the flight is going through Christchurch which makes it even longer,” Logan said.
“That wouldn’t be ideal for him after going down to Hastings and back. We’re going to wait and see if the Livamol is going to be run in a fortnight’s time and, if it is, we’ll go there.
“It’s very frustrating, but everyone is in the same boat and there’s nothing that can be done about it.”
Hawke’s Bay Racing in conjunction with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing are currently exploring all opportunities to reschedule the Group One feature.
“If the Livamol isn’t going to be run then we will be looking at going offshore with him,” Logan said.
Volkstok’n’barrell added to its Group One tally earlier this year when he won the Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa following previous successes in the Rosehill Guineas, Haunui Farm Classic and in the New Zealand Stakes.
This season, the horse finished in behind the placegetters when resuming under 64.5kg in an open sprint at Ruakaka and was then a close fifth in the Group One Windsor Park Plate at Hastings last month.