Racing: Sydney option for local colt

Wyndspelle (foreground) could travel across the Tasman next month. Photo / Trish Dunell

The Ruakaka training partnership of Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs could have a two-pronged attack on the first day of The Championships in Sydney next month with Wyndspelle putting his name forward to accompany stablemate Volkstok'n'barrell across the Tasman.

The lightly raced Iffraaj colt produced a determined finish to snatch second in Saturday's Group One Sistema Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie, in the process indicating a step up in distance would suit perfectly for his next assignment. That has left Logan and the colt's connections with a decision to make as to where that challenge will take place.

"It was a superb run as he really finished off the race in impressive style, in what was his biggest test to date," noted Logan.

"He's crying out for more ground already and is going to make a terrific three-year-old but there are a couple of options available for him before he finishes this campaign."

Those options include the Group One Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 2 or a trip to Sydney to contest the $1m Group One ATC Sires' Produce Stakes at Randwick.

"We're going to let the dust settle and see how he is before we make any decision," said Logan.

"I know his owners are keen on looking at the race in Sydney so we will have to work out what would be needed to get a start there or whether we stay closer to home with him and head to Awapuni."

Should the decision fall in the favour of an Australian raid then the colt would travel with Volkstok'n'barrell who Logan confirmed would have his next run in the headline event on the first day of The Championships, the $3m Group One Doncaster Handicap (1600m).

Logan was both delighted and relieved to see her stable star capture the Group One Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes on Saturday after surviving a protest from runner-up Girl Of My Dreams.

"I don't know what it is with that race as it is the second time we've been involved in both a nose decision and a protest afterwards," she chuckled.

"We didn't get the race last year with Rising Romance but managed to keep it this time so I'm not sure what might happen if we have a runner next year."

Logan reported Volkstok'n'barrell had come through his race in fine fettle and was cherry ripe to tackle his Sydney task. The gelding is no stranger to success at the Sydney Autumn carnival having taken out the Group One Rosehill Guineas twelve months ago before finishing third in the Group One ATC Derby. NZ Racing Desk