Horse Racing: Derby contender improving with each outing

Donna Logan's Romancer is on the improve, but faces a big step up in competition. Photo/Trish Dunell

Romancer will face another examination of his Group One credentials when he steps out at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

The gelding is on a learning curve as he heads toward his season's target - the $1 million Vodafone New Zealand Derby on March 4.

"He's still green, but he's getting there and improving with each run," said Donna Logan, who trains the three-year-old in partnership with Chris Gibbs.

Romancer raced greenly when he finished runner-up on debut and he has progressed to impressively win his last two starts, including the Listed Mufhasa Stakes earlier this month.

"He pulled up really well after that and I'm very happy with him," Logan said.

"He'll run in the Great Northern Guineas on New Year's Day and then he'll go to the Karaka Three-Year-Old Mile, followed by the Avondale Guineas.

"Then it will be on to the Derby and he's bred to run it and that makes you feel a lot more comfortable."

Romancer is a son of High Chaparral's Group One-winning son Redwood and his dam is a half-sister to Sirmione, a two-time top-flight middle distance winner.

Meanwhile, stablemate and fellow Derby hopeful Wyndspelle will return to action at Ellerslie on Boxing Day ahead of the Gr.1 Randwick Meats Levin Classic at Trentham on January 14.

The Iffraaj colt has raced consistently this season, often without luck, to place in the G.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial and the Listed Northland Breeders' Stakes.

Wyndspelle was also fifth in both the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas and at his last appearance in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

- NZ Racing Desk