OLD MASTER PUTS ON TRAINING CAP FOR THE DAY
Donna and Dean Logan couldn’t make it to yesterday’s Te Aroha trials but they couldn’t have got a report on top sprinter Durham Town from a better source. Supervising for the Logan stable was former top trainer Jim Gibbs, who is a part-owner of Durham Town. And when rider Michael Coleman was legged up on Durham Town before his neck second to Joey Massino in an open 1200-metre heat it was like old times for the ex-Gibbs apprentice.
“Mickey said it brought back memories of riding for his old boss,” said Donna Logan. “Mickey was really pleased with the horse and couldn’t get over how well he felt. “As for Gibbsey, he gave him (Durham Town) a glowing report. It sounded as though he really enjoyed his day out, playing trainers again.
“Durham Town started from the outside gate and was wide most of the way and apparently he hit the line full of running. Gibbsey said he had a good blow afterwards and that was what we expected and wanted. “He needed to have a good clean out for the Railway. He’s going straight into it and he was a bit above himself.”
Durham Town is a last-start winner of the Gr. 3 Lindauer Stewards Stakes at Riccarton on November 13 and will be having his third tilt at the Gr. 1 $200,000 Sistema Railway Stakes, run at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. He finished eighth in the feature two years ago and was third behind Fleur de Lune and Jetset Lad last season.
The Logan stable was also represented yesterday by the juvenile half-sister to former stable star Habibi. The filly by Thewayyourare finished third in a juvenile 800-metre heat, two and a half lengths from the winner.
It was her second trial and she pleased rider Trudy Thornton, who was also aboard when she competed over the same distance at the Cambridge trials a week ago. “She’s coming along nicely and we’re doing much the same as we did with Habibi, giving her a few trials for education then putting her aside,” said Logan.
Reference: http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing/CN19396/Old-master-puts-on-training-cap-for-the-day
