KEY POINTS:
Any New Zealand sprinter that can match it with the Australian short-course horses is the one to beat in a major local sprint.
Jazzella fits that profile for today's $100,0000 Original Aussie Butcher Concorde at Avondale.
The Ruakaka-based flying machine was always destined to be a group one winner at home and that mark looks to be drawing closer.
With that in mind, the Logan/Gibbs training stable has aimed Jazzella at the $200,000 Waiwera Infinity Railway at Ellerslie on January 1.
Which is why Donna Logan is slightly cautious as she produces Jazzella for today's race - her first since running at Queensland's Ipswich track in mid-June.
"I've never doubted she could win this race, but have always known she was only going to be at 90 per cent going into it.
"She'll be at 100 per cent on January 1, but she still has the class to win this."
Jazzella has won both her career fresh-up starts. The added advantage she has this time is that she comes out of the No1 gate.
Logan does not see it simply as a matter of jumping to the front and dictating.
"There's a fair bit of pace in the race and it won't worry us if she has to ease in behind the speed."
Stablemates Brianna and Imananabaa loom large.
They finished first and equal second in the big sprint at Ellerslie last Saturday week and should both be on the improve.
Brianna's course stats are impressive - four starts at Avondale for three wins and a minor placing.
She doesn't have Jazzella's sheer speed, but she can mount an impressive finish coming off a strong pace.
SPEED MACHINE JAZZELLA CAN MAINTAIN FRESH RECORD
Caption1: Donna Logan
Any New Zealand sprinter that can match it with the Australian short-course horses is the one to beat in a major local sprint.
Jazzella fits that profile for today's $100,0000 Original Aussie Butcher Concorde at Avondale.
The Ruakaka-based flying machine was always destined to be a group one winner at home and that mark looks to be drawing closer.
With that in mind, the Logan/Gibbs training stable has aimed Jazzella at the $200,000 Waiwera Infinity Railway at Ellerslie on January 1.
Which is why Donna Logan is slightly cautious as she produces Jazzella for today's race - her first since running at Queensland's Ipswich track in mid-June.
"I've never doubted she could win this race, but have always known she was only going to be at 90 per cent going into it.
"She'll be at 100 per cent on January 1, but she still has the class to win this."
Jazzella has won both her career fresh-up starts. The added advantage she has this time is that she comes out of the No1 gate.
Logan does not see it simply as a matter of jumping to the front and dictating.
"There's a fair bit of pace in the race and it won't worry us if she has to ease in behind the speed."
Stablemates Brianna and Imananabaa loom large.
They finished first and equal second in the big sprint at Ellerslie last Saturday week and should both be on the improve.
Brianna's course stats are impressive - four starts at Avondale for three wins and a minor placing.
She doesn't have Jazzella's sheer speed, but she can mount an impressive finish coming off a strong pace.
