Sonja Logan on track for hat-trick of Alice Springs trebles
With a decent book of rides at Alice Springs on Saturday, Darwin jockey Sonja Logan could have another good day on the five-race card at Pioneer Park.
Logan sealed back-to-back winning trebles in the Red Centre on November 4 and 11.
Fresh from serving a suspension that caused her to miss last Saturday’s Fannie Bay meeting, Logan will set out to extend her lead in the Alice Springs jockeys’ premiership.
Central Australia’s reigning champion has seven wins this season, putting her two wins clear of Darwin’s Adam Nicholls and Alice Springs apprentices Dakota Gillett and Lek Maloney.
Three of her rides this weekend — Red Wraith, Great Buy and Omoplata — were last-start winners with Logan in the saddle.
Typically Brazen and Perkova are her other two engagements.
Red Wraith, Paul Gardner’s four-year-old gelding, will be aiming for five straight wins when he lines up in a field of five at BM76 level over 1000m.
“He’s absolutely flying and broke the track record for the 1100m (1:01.87) two weeks ago,” Logan said.
“I don’t want to jinx him or anything like that — I’m a bit superstitious — but the horse is improving with every run.
“With a good draw, hopefully we can continue the good run.
“He’s getting better going around to the gates, he was naughty in the early days.
“Paul is finding ways to keep him settled.
“I ride him to the gates with no irons — just sit on his back and keep him happy, that seems to be working.
“Boy Big missed the kick badly last start, but he still ran third behind Red Wraith.
“Going on recent form he’s a bit of a danger and will probably be the hardest to beat.”
Alice Springs Race 4 replay – Red Wraith – J: Sonja Logan
Great Buy, Terry Gillett’s seven-year-old gelding, can make it three wins from his last four starts in an open handicap over 1400m comprising five runners.
“He’s an absolute machine of an animal and he gave me a good feel — when you’re on top of him, he’s just big and strong,” Logan said.
“His win the other day was really good, he would have given the good sprint horse Supreme Attraction a run for his money had it not been scratched.
“Very excited to see where he goes, he’ll be a nice horse whether I’m on him or not.
“I honestly think Supreme Times, second behind Great Buy a fortnight ago, will be the hardest to beat.
“It’s only won once over 1400m, but I definitely think it will be the biggest challenger.”
Lisa Whittle’s Omoplata meets BM54 opposition over 1100m, Leanne Gillett’s Typically Brazen faces a Class 2 field over 1200m, and Gardner’s Perkova confronts 0-64 company over 1600m.
“Omoplata, he’s ‘Mr Consistent’, that’s for sure — a nice big horse, he always puts in 110 per cent,” Logan said.
“Not last start, but the start before, I clipped heels early in the race and he started to hang out and finished eighth — you can only ignore that run.
“Typically Brazen, I actually like this horse — she’s a nice mare.
“She gave me a good feel when I rode her over 1400m last start.
“Got a lot of speed, Terry and Leanne always have their horses looking well on race day.
“They’ll add a Tongue Control and Lugging Bit this week, but I wouldn’t dismiss her.
“I haven’t ridden Perkova, so I don’t know a lot about him.
“Paul’s horses are looking well and feeling well, you can’t knock their form.
“Hopefully, I can get another win for them – it would be nice.”
After a much-publicised assault in July before marrying Darwin trainer Tom Logan in August, it was perhaps no surprise to see Logan make a slow start to the 2023/24 campaign.
“The assault was probably on the back of my mind for a while, even when I was riding,” she said.
“It took a bit to get that momentum going again, and I guess feel safe at home and at the track.
“Then there was the obvious high of marrying Tommy.
“I was hoping I’d come back and fire straight away, but it has taken time to get back to what it was.
“I’ve had a bit of luck now, hopefully it continues throughout the season.
“Alice Springs is a good track to ride on and I’ve been riding some nice horses of late.
“I’m really happy with my rides this week.”
Logan was disappointed to incur a one-meeting suspension after guiding Tayarn Halter’s City Regal to victory in Darwin on Melbourne Cup Day.
Logan, who has five Darwin wins this season after finishing second in the 2022/23 Top End jockeys’ premiership, was found guilty of careless riding before having her appeal dismissed.
“The last time I was suspended was three years ago, it’s been a while,” she said.
“I haven’t even been reprimanded in that time.”