Race Images Palmerston North
The possibility of a rescheduled Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) will keep Volkstok’n’barrell at home for the time being.
Saturday’s abandonment of the Hawke’s Bay meeting prior to the running of the weight-for-age feature has placed the multiple Group One winner’s spring programme somewhat in limbo.
“I was going to send him to Sydney to race next weekend, but the flight is going through Christchurch which makes it even longer,” said Donna Logan, who trains the son of Tavistock with Chris Gibbs.
“That wouldn’t be ideal for him after going down to Hastings and back. We’re going to wait and see if the Livamol is going to be run in a fortnight’s time and, if it is, we’ll go there.
“It’s very frustrating, but everyone is in the same boat and there’s nothing that can be done about it.”
Hawke’s Bay Racing in conjunction with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing are currently exploring all opportunities to reschedule the Group One feature.
“If the Livamol isn’t going to be run then we will be looking at going offshore with him,” Logan said.
Volkstok’n’barrell added to his Group One tally earlier this year when he won the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa following previous successes in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m), the Haunui Farm Classic (1600m) and in the New Zealand Stakes (2000m).
This season, he finished in behind the placegetters when resuming under 64.5kg in an open sprint at Ruakaka and was then a close fifth in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings last month. – NZ Racing Desk.