Volkstok'n'barrell to roll into Sydney if NZ wet continues

Brad Waters - Tuesday October 3

New Zealand's run of wet tracks could force a four-time Group I winner across the Tasman Sea to tackle a Winx-free Craven Plate (2000m) on Saturday week.

Wet ground would rule Volkstok'n'barrell out of a Group I race in New Zealand on Saturday.

Trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs want to run Volkstok'n'barrell in the Group I Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on Saturday but rain would prompt a rethink of those plans.

"He's ready for Hastings as long as the rain stays away," Logan told the NZ Racing Desk.

"If it's wet – and I hope it isn't – he won't run.

"We've looked at the option of running him in Sydney (in the Craven Plate) a week later.

"There's a weight-for-age race over there that could suit him, but I'd prefer to start at Hastings."

The prizemoney for the Craven Plate was jacked up to $500,000 in an attempt to keep Winx in Sydney for an extra run at Randwick but the race opened up after trainer Chris Waller sent the champion mare to Melbourne to run in Saturday's Group I Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Volkstok'n'barrell won the Group I Rosehill Guineas in Sydney in 2015 and ran third to Mongolian Khan in that year's ATC Australian Derby.

The son of Tavistock has had two runs back from a spell for a first-up fifth over 1200m and another fifth to Gingernuts in the Group I Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hawke's Bay on September 23.

Volkstok'n'barrell pleased Logan with his effort behind Gingernuts.

"I thought his run down there last time was very good," Logan said. "The (slow) track was a bit of an issue and he hits a flat spot at the 600 metres. He couldn't get out enough to get in the mix but finished it off well."

Vinnie Colgan, who has been aboard Volkstok'n'barrell in all three of his New Zealand Group I wins, will ride the gelding if he runs in the Livamol Classic.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.