24 Sep 2017
Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs are hoping their prayers will be answered for the final leg of the triple crown at Hawke’s Bay with Tavistock star Volkstok'n'barrell.
The Ruakaka trainers were bullish about Volkstok’n’barrell's chances in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) before the rain came, but the multiple elite level winner still did them proud in finishing fifth.
“He was fabulous. He was near last turning for home and he couldn’t get out wide enough so it was a really, really good effort,” Logan said.
“We were pretty confident and if the track been a bit firmer it could well have been a different outcome. He pulled up very well and ate everything up so we’ll be back for the Livamol. Hopefully, the weather gods will be on our side. He’s improved and the extra distance on a decent track will really suit him.”
Four-time Group One winner Volkstok’n’barrell went to Hastings off the back of just one outing, having finished fifth when resuming in an open sprint at Ruakaka under 64.5kg earlier this month.
Meanwhile, his unbeaten stablemate Rocstock will continue his career overseas.
“He’s an exciting horse who’s going to Hong Kong,” Logan said.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had a number of horses sold, that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
A four-year-old son of Tavistock, Rocstock was raced by Cambridge couple Bruce and Maureen Harvey, of Ascot Farm.
He made a successful debut at Ruakaka in July and was again untested in Rating 65 company on his former home track the following month. – NZ Racing Desk