Smoking Win by Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ)

A dominant victory by Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Group 3 $70,000 Manuka Doctor Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday has shown his trainers he has Group 1 potential.

Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) cruising to victory in the Group 3 Manuka Doctor Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

The three-year-old son of young sire Tavistock was having only his third start and entered the race with an impressive win on his home track, albeit in maiden grade, at his last start for trainers Donna & Dean Logan. His trainers hold him in high regard and have big targets for him in the future.

“I think this guy is a really special horse and I think he is up to Group 1 level,” commented Donna Logan. “He is definitely one of the top-enders.

“At this stage I am contemplating a couple of weeks in the paddock. I gave Christchurch a thought but at this point I think mentally and physically he has a lot of improvement in him so I want to look after him. The trip down south is ok but it’s the trip home that flattens them so I figure I will look after him and progress through to the Derby.”

The Logan training partnership are well aware of what it takes to win the Group 1 New Zealand Derby having won the race in 2013 with Habibi (NZ) (Ekraar) and finishing second this year with Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar), the winner of last season’s Group 1 Australian Oaks.

Ridden by last season’s leading jockey Matthew Cameron, Volkstok’n’barrell raced handy behind leader and race-favourite Passing Shot (NZ) (Swiss Ace). At the 200m the son of Tavistock exploded like a shot out of a barrel, shooting past the favourite to clear out for a 4.3 length victory over Passing Shot with Twya (NZ) (Thewayyouare) finishing third a further 3.5 lengths behind to complete a Karaka trifecta.

“At the 800m I thought we were going to run last,” said Logan. “He didn’t look comfortable, he was all at sea and it didn’t look good. From all accounts, he got balanced up in the straight and put paid to them. He has plenty of maturing to do and, race wise, he is still very green.”

It was a breakout day for his sire Tavistock who picked up a stakes double with Avisto (NZ) winning the Listed Soliloquy Stakes on the same day. Both stakes winners are from the first crop of the multiple Group 1 winner.

Saturday’s win was Volkstok’n’barrell’s second win from only three starts with his debut effort returning a third placing. He is owned by retired trainer Jim Gibbs, his wife Ann and his son Chris along with IDL Racing Ltd and co-trainer Donna Logan, earning them $49,250 in prizemoney so far.

Bred by IDL Breeding Ltd, Volkstok’n’barrell is the fourth winner for his dam Volkster (Volksraad), a winner herself over 1000m. Volkster is a daughter of Row of Mapperley (Long Row), a full-sister to dual Group 1 winner Getting Closer (Long Row).

Donna Logan purchased Volkstok’n’barrell for $50,000 at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale from Seaton Park.