Mongolian Falcon
Trish Dunell
Ruakaka trainer Donna Logan is quietly confident she has the fire power to take out the second leg of a three-year-old stakes double for the weekend when the Gr. 2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) is contested at Te Rapa tomorrow.
Logan and training partner Chris Gibbs produced three-year-old filly Astara to triumph in Saturday's Listed Dunstan Feeds Soliloquy Stakes and will have Gr. 1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas candidates Mongolian Falcon and Wyndspelle as their representatives for Monday's Labour Day contest.
Although both colts are coming in fresh off the back of contrasting performances in the Gr. 2 Hawke's Bay Guineas, where Mongolian Falcon won handsomely while Wyndspelle plugged on to finish fifth, Logan believes there is little to choose between the pair.
"They have both come on really well since Hastings and I couldn't be happier with them," she said.
"Mongolian Falcon has just thrived since his Guineas win. We were originally going to go straight to Riccarton for the Group One with him but he has done so well we thought he needed one more run hence why we have him in the race.
"He has drawn beautifully in gate two which should mean he can take up a forward position but whether he leads or not will be up to Leith (Innes)."
Logan warned not to overlook the prospects of Wyndspelle despite a bad barrier draw and being beaten comprehensively by his stable mate at Hastings.
"He actually went an enormous race at Hastings where he just didn't get the rub of the green," she said.
"He got back in a bad spot and didn't really appreciate the going on the day. He was a long way from them on the corner but ran home very resolutely which we were delighted with.
"He is one that is definitely going to appreciate the step up to a mile at Riccarton but we think he can go a very cheeky race on Monday."
The Logan & Gibbs pair won't have it all their own way in the contest with fellow 2000 Guineas candidates Ugo Foscolo and Xiong Feng along with promising fillies Honey Rider and Bella Gioia all appealing as genuine winning chances. – NZ Racing Desk
Logan and training partner Chris Gibbs produced three-year-old filly Astara to triumph in Saturday's Listed Dunstan Feeds Soliloquy Stakes and will have Gr. 1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas candidates Mongolian Falcon and Wyndspelle as their representatives for Monday's Labour Day contest.
Although both colts are coming in fresh off the back of contrasting performances in the Gr. 2 Hawke's Bay Guineas, where Mongolian Falcon won handsomely while Wyndspelle plugged on to finish fifth, Logan believes there is little to choose between the pair.
"They have both come on really well since Hastings and I couldn't be happier with them," she said.
"Mongolian Falcon has just thrived since his Guineas win. We were originally going to go straight to Riccarton for the Group One with him but he has done so well we thought he needed one more run hence why we have him in the race.
"He has drawn beautifully in gate two which should mean he can take up a forward position but whether he leads or not will be up to Leith (Innes)."
Logan warned not to overlook the prospects of Wyndspelle despite a bad barrier draw and being beaten comprehensively by his stable mate at Hastings.
"He actually went an enormous race at Hastings where he just didn't get the rub of the green," she said.
"He got back in a bad spot and didn't really appreciate the going on the day. He was a long way from them on the corner but ran home very resolutely which we were delighted with.
"He is one that is definitely going to appreciate the step up to a mile at Riccarton but we think he can go a very cheeky race on Monday."
The Logan & Gibbs pair won't have it all their own way in the contest with fellow 2000 Guineas candidates Ugo Foscolo and Xiong Feng along with promising fillies Honey Rider and Bella Gioia all appealing as genuine winning chances. – NZ Racing Desk