LOGAN RACING RUNNERS @ AUCKLAND
After an emotional week, Logan Racing gets back to business and will produces a total of 6 runners for the opening day of the Auckland Cup carnival. The highlight of this will be producing Rising Romance and Stand Your Ground in the Group 1, TV 3 New Zealand Derby.
Currently 2nd favourite on the New Zealand tote, 3YO Ekraar filly Rising Romance returned to racing from a 6 week break to finish a game 2nd to current New Zealand Derby favourite Puccini in the Avondale Guineas two weeks ago. That run would have topped her off nicely for regular pilot Michael Coleman where she is saddlecloth number 16 and has drawn barrier 1. These are the same as numbers that Logan Racing New Zealand Derby heroine Habibi had last year.
Check out the Rising Romance video preview and article here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/auckland-cup/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503616&gal_objectid=11209215&gallery_id=141244
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/racing/news/article.cfm?c_id=53&objectid=11211026
Not to be out shone, Stand Your Ground was a desparately unlucky runner in another lead up race on the same race programme. This Coats Choice 3YO was stuck behind a wall of horses without being able to get a run and the fact that Derby king, Vinny Colgan has been confirmed for the mount should speak volumes. There's more information about Stand Your Ground and one of his owners Ashley Goodwin:
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing/MU21222/Rising-Romance-to-change-Logan-fortunes-after-rough-week
Both horses have worked well this week and will be presented ready to perform in New Zealand's Blue Riband event for 3YOs.
Rising Romance pictured winning the Royal Stakes below:
Stand Your Ground pictured below winning at Ellerslie (photo courtesy of Rinny's photography):
The New Zealand Derby Day support cast from the Logan Racing team is headlined by Durham Town who is returning to run in the Group 3, Darley Plate over 1200 metres, a race he has won and placed in before. Trans Tasman hoop Vinny Colgan takes the mount on this 5YO Falkirk gelding where he has drawn barrier 5 and faces a small but tough field including Telegraph winner Irish Fling.
Darci Brahma 4YO mare Candle In The Wind looks to turn around her recent form of her last couple of starts. She has drawn barrier 6 and will be piloted by Michael Walker in Race 2, in the Hirepool 1400 metres, a Rating 75 event.
The consistent Paco Kid steps up in distance and up to a Special Conditions event when he competes in the Barfoot and Thompson 2100 metres. This Hawkeye 4YO will be ridden by Michael Walker from the ace barrier.
Pencarrow owned Kendoka also returns to racing after placing at Waikato in her last start. This 4YO Reset mare will have the services of Vinny Colgan in the George FM, a Rating 75 event over 2100 metres.
Good luck to all our connections, and for those of you joining the Logan Racing team in Lady Fisher room at Ellerslie this Derby Day, we look forward to seeing you there.
After the dust has settled for what is sure to be a big day @ Ellerslie, Logan Racing then looks south on the Sunday where Ishimine competes at the Otago Racing Club's meeting at Cromwell. She races in the Wine Tap Publican's Cup, an Open event over 1400 metres. Darryl Bradley takes the mount on this 5YO Ishiguru mare where she has drawn barrier 2.