'Trevor' begins Cox Plate build-up

Volkstok'n'barrel is skipping the Mafki Challenge Stakes in Hawke's Bay to begin his run towards the Cox Plate on Australian soil. Photo / John Stone

Local galloper Volkstok'n'barrel has arrived safe and well in Australia after a lengthy stay at Ruakaka, en route to his Cox Plate run this October.

Volkstok'n'barrel, also known by his stable name "Trevor", cleared Customs with ease and travelled well, trainer Donna Logan said.

"He swiped his passport, got on to the plane and said 'see you later'," Logan said of Trevor's departure on Wednesday.

After the horse had arrived in Melbourne at his new Caulfield residence, Logan said the 4-year-old bay gelding had settled in well and would work towards getting his match fitness up with the help of co-trainer Chris Gibbs.

"His stable at Caulfield is like the country, only in the city," Logan said.

"It's got a lot of grass areas and it's so quiet and spacious, unlike some stables where the horses are all crammed up."

With a few gallops on the beach over the past few months, Trevor had been making the most of the fresh sea air while in work at the Logan Racing stables in Ruakaka.

Faced with his next challenge, the horse will kick off his campaign towards the Cox Plate by starting in the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes over 1400m tomorrow.

Despite a wide draw, Logan said she and Gibbs would work closely with jockey Blake Shinn to ensure there was a plan A and plan B in place for the race strategy.

Up against a talented field, Trevor will face former Logan Racing stable star Rising Romance in the same race.