LOGAN RACING @ TE RAPA, FAREWELL TO DEAN
The Lodge Real Estate is a Rating 75 Benchmark, 1400 metres and sees the return to racing of Big Voices. This 4YO Duke of Marmalade - Good Faith mare is owned by Mark Treloar, Rising Star Syndicate (Mgr: K T Crooke) & D M Logan and will be ridden by Sam Spratt from barrier 5.
The Media Works Waikato Radio is a Rating 65 Benchmark, 1600 metres and Logan Racing lines up Mongolian Storm. Owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd, this 3YO Savabeel - Danish Wedding colt has drawn barrier 8 and apprentice Brendan Hutton takes the mount.
Good luck to all our connections.
Earlier in the week, family, friends, colleagues and industry peers all gathered to farewell Gary 'Dean' Logan. It was a fitting send off for a man loved by his family, respected by his friends and as the many speeches highlighted, a man who didn't have a bad bone in his body. The funeral procession, complete with Dean's prized Holden Torana drag car and other hot rods, headed to the Ruakaka race course where Dean spent countless hours working. A lap of the Ruakaka track ended with the funeral hearse thundering down the home straight as many well wishers clapped and cheered on.
The packed and overflowing church service was held in the town/area that Dean grew up in. The eulogies detailed Dean's life, and the tributes flowed, all for the Logan Racing original. Dean was laid to rest, overseeing the Waipu river and out to sea. The after match function was held at the Ruakaka race course, where a 'mock' race was staged featuring Dean's favourite horses; Ace High, Vapour Trail, Habibi, The Mighty Finn, El Duce and Victory Smile. As George Simon called the field home, the grandstand looking like a race day all clapped, and cheered as befittingly 'Ace High' wearing the Logan Racing colours managed to get up and win the Dean Logan Memorial race with the jockey pointing to the sky.
It was a dream send off for a Logan Racing legend but perhaps the most poignant words spoken were by daughter Samantha supported by her brother Robert as she read out a poem that she wrote when she was 13;
Dad, you are my hero, my doubts in you equal zero
The one who picks me up when I am down, and tells everyone not to frown
You always make me feel secure, my love for you is deep and pure
Dad, I will always look up to you, even when you call me Pooh
I'm am always sheltered by your care, and because of you I know things aren't always fair
You are the best Dad Ive got, that's why I gave poetry a terrible shot.