Ruakaka trainer Donna Logan is firmly of the opinion that the best is yet to come for impressive mare Rockabyebaby who completed a winning treble on her home track on the weekend.
The imposing Rip Van Winkle mare has now won four of her eight starts and is unbeaten in this campaign after seeing off her five rivals with a touch of arrogance in the Harcourts Bream Bay 1400.
"She has really developed both mentally and physically in this campaign and has just improved out of sight," remarked Logan, who prepares the mare with training partner Chris Gibbs.
"She settled beautifully in the trail on Saturday and when Alysha (Collett) asked her go she just took off.
"It was a lovely ride and a dominant win which has us thinking about lifting our sights for her next run."
Logan is keen on tackling stakes company with the mare and has the Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe on September 24 as the likely target.
"She deserves a shot at some black type and the mile at Pukekohe later this month is the obvious target for her," she said.
"I guess the main concern will be what sort of track she strikes as I'm always worried on a very heavy track.
"Now that she has strengthened up she would cope with some cut in the surface but I'm not too sure about her on a real bog.
"We'll just have to wait and see but we know she has the ability to be competitive at that level."
Logan was also delighted with the return of stable star Volkstok'n'barrell who had a decent hit-out in the open 1200m race to kick off his spring campaign.
"I was just thrilled with the run as he did everything we asked of him," she said.
"He's never won over 1200m so there was no expectation of that but I did want to see him finding the line which is exactly what he did.
"He knocked up in the last few strides which was to be expected but he went home and ate everything we put in front of him which is very pleasing."
Logan will now press on to the Gr. 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings on September 23 with the four-time Group One winner as he heads towards the Gr. 1 Livamol Classic on 7 October as his main mission.
Logan had a highly successful day of racing at Ruakaka with another winner in race seven.
Royal Command, jockeyed by Sam Spratt, lived up to the name as the pairing put in a big performance to get over the line with their noses in front.
- NZ Racing Desk