LOGAN RACING RUNNERS @ RICCARTON PARK, 5TH OCTOBER 2013

Logan Racing has three stable runners competing at the Canterbury Racing North Canterbury @ Riccarton Park meeting this Saturday, 5th October 2013. In Race 5, HANDSOME MATES kicks off his southern debut in the Rangiora New World rating 75, 1600 metres. In the following race, Race 6, both UNCLE SHAYNE and WHISTLING STRAITS stake their claim in the Waimakariri Business North Canterbury Cup. The horses travelled down last week and have settled nicely into their new surroundings.

Article on UNCLE SHAYNE and WHISTLING STRAITS:

Nine of the 15 runners in tomorrow's Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup hold nominations for the New Zealand Cup, but the winner could easily come from one of the other competitors. Northland trainers Dean and Donna Logan have sent Uncle Shayne and Whistling Straits south in search of drier tracks. Neither is currently in the New Zealand Cup but Dean Logan says both are capable of winning. “They're looking for better ground,” explained Logan. “The tracks up north are not good yet and there's only two low key Wednesday meetings at home (Ruakaka) this month. We already had horses in the south - Ishimine won at Timaru.” Logan said Uncle Shayne and Whistling Straits left Ruakaka last Saturday in good order and are both realistic prospects. Since winning a Rating 85 1600 metres on premier day at Tauranga, Whistling Straits has raced exclusively over 2100 metres at Ruakaka, for a second, third and fourth. Most of his recent success has been on tracks rated dead, although he won his maiden race, nearly two years ago, on a track rated good.

Logan said Whistling Straits was ready to go in the Listed Westbury Stud Karaka Classic (1600m) at Counties a fortnight ago but was scratched because of the track. He expects Riccarton to suit the Thorn Park six-year-old, who has drawn five in the North Canterbury Cup. Logan will be hoping The Hand Of Faith goes to a clear lead, as he did at Wingatui last Saturday, to help Whistling Strait's cause. “It will depend on the way the race is run,” said Logan. “Whistling Straits needs the pace on as he settles back and comes with the last run. Uncle Shayne can race on the pace and keep kicking.”

The last time Uncle Shayne raced, the Logans provided five of the six runners, so splitting the team is another reason to trip south. Uncle Shayne finished second, beaten a long head by the stable's Auckland Cup hope Mosquito. The track was dead that day and although Uncle Shayne has failed in all four of his starts on tracks rated fast or good, Logan is confident the six-year-old can turn that around. However, having drawn one from the outside barrier won't make it easy for him