Volkstok’n’barrell In Top Form

Highly talented three-year-old Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock) continued his winning streak with an impressive victory in the Group 2 $100,000 The Sound Great Northern Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

Volkstok'n'barrell (NZ) takes victory in the Group 2 The Sound Great Northern Guineas. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

The Tavistock gelding has had five race day appearances, placing third on debut at the start of the season and is now unbeaten in his last four starts. Trained by Donna and Dean Logan, Volkstok’n’barrell won his first stakes race three starts ago at Ellerslie in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes.

“There’s a fair bit of pressure when you get a good horse,” commented Donna Logan.

“We tried a different style and he could have been a bit vulnerable. I said to ride him like the best horse in the race and when he kicked on the bend I thought it would take a very good one to get him.”

The three-year-old gelding jumped well from barrier 10 followed with jockey Matthew Cameron pushing forward to sit handy one off the rail.

As the field turned for home, Volkstok’n’barrell strode to the lead with Rockfast (Fastnet Rock) his biggest danger. There was to be no boil-over however as the race-favourite comfortably held his rivals to win by half-a-length over Rockfast with Kolonel Kev (NZ) (Darci Brahma) finishing third.

The son of Tavistock is now the race-favourite for the NZ Derby, “May the best horse win – bring it on,” Logan said.

Volkstok’n’barrell will race next in the Listed Karaka 3YO Mile followed by the Group 2 Avondale Guineas leading into the NZ Derby.

The Group 2 win increased the son of Tavistock’s prizemoney to $121,250 for owners G Cossey, Mrs Gibbs, C Gibbs, J Gibbs MNZM, A Goodwin, IDL Racing Ltd, Mrs D Logan and Rosemount Stud Pty Ltd.

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

Bred by IDL Breeding Ltd, Volkstok’n’barrell is out of winning Volksraad mare Volkster, a sister to stakes placegetter Champion Chestnut (Volksraad) and Dame Mapperley (Volksraad). Dame Mapperley is the dam of Group 2 Great Northern Guineas winner Le Baron (Golan).