Racing: For Logan there were tears but no shame in finishing second

In the parade, no horse looked more sensational than Volkstok'n'barrell. File photo / NZME.

Donna Logan's regret was understandable, but unnecessary.

"I feel I let Dean [training partner Dean Logan] down," she said through tears as she watched Volkstok'n'barrell come into the No 2 stall after Saturday's Derby.

That's probably the biggest untruth the Ruakaka trainer will ever utter.

No need.

In the parade, no horse looked more sensational than Volkstok'n'barrell. Metres behind, the eventual winner Mongolian Khan did a jig-jog through five or six laps of the back parade ring.

And there might be a recommendation here for next year. The Derby had 17 3-year-olds, screwed right up to breaking point to run 2400m in a formative year and they did endless laps of the back parade ring while most were clearly wanting to get out on to the track and a bit of fresh air.

What didn't help was an owners/connections' hospitality area packed to greater capacity than ever before with a bunch of well marinated well-wishers (the race was coming up 6pm) cheering loudly when their horse went past. A significant number of runners got wound up by the noise and prolonged time in the back parade ring as each horse was analysed for television.

The result was clear - Mongolian Khan clearly outstayed Volkstok'n'barrell.

There is one sidebar - Matt Cameron would probably like his ride over again on Volkstok'n'barrell.

This is not a criticism of Cameron who, given the circumstance, was under crushing pressure.

Jockeys in Derbys are required to make life-changing decisions in a micro second on 550kg horses travelling at lightning speeds. To second guess them is almost always unfair.

Cameron did a brilliant job from barrier No 4 to edge his way out into the one-out line of running in the run down the straight the first time. Even better he positioned himself on the tail of Mongolian Khan, meaning he had given himself the opportunity to follow Mongolian Khan into the race and sprint at the other horse when it suited him, and not Opie Bosson on a horse with greater staying powers.

Cameron gave away that advantage when he surprisingly came off Mongolian Khan's back at the 500m, then after a bit of a shuffle, pressed the "go" button and sprinted to put almost three-quarters of a length on Mongolian Khan.

The advantage then swung to his foe's superior staying powers.

Graeme Forbes believes those powers will one day win Mongolian Khan a Melbourne Cup. "Not this year as a 4-year-old, but maybe next year. This horse is a super stayer; the further he goes the better he will go.

"He is the best chance in years we [New Zealand] have had of winning a Melbourne Cup."

Difficult to argue against that line of thought. Mongolian Khan and Volkstok'n'barrell are both horses of huge potential: Mongolian Khan in the extreme staying business and Volkstok'n'barrell in the 2000m-type weight-for-age sphere.

Both will continue to make headlines in seasons to come.

Almost forgotten in the total domination of the quinella result was third-placed Sound Proposition, who did a big job to come from last at the 1600m when the first two were relatively on the speed.

There was always a slight suggestion the Derby was coming up a fraction quickly for Sound Proposition and the O'Sullivan/Scott stable did a wonderful job getting him to the race and finishing a place against two of the best Derby horses we have seen in years.

We all know John Hart doesn't like missing adrenaline moments.

He spent only 15 minutes at Ellerslie on Saturday, but long enough to see his fine sprinter Durham Town bolt away with the $100,000 Darley Plate, then displayed similar alacrity to get back to Eden Park and the cricket.

"What a day," said Hart as he let a big breath go yesterday morning.

Hart wanted to apologise for his casual attire receiving the Darley trophy on behalf of his syndicate of owners, but there was no need.

Opie Bosson quickly had Durham Town in front and with a lightning last 600m the opposition were never in the race. "He deserved that," said Hart. "He finished a close third in the Railway and Opie's was probably the ride of the carnival."

Hart has not missed one of Durham Town's high-profile seven victories and loves his sport. The adrenaline, already at dangerous levels leaving Ellerslie, went through the roof back at Eden Park.

"The general noise was something you don't hear," he said. "When that last six was hit it was the greatest bit of theatre I've seen."

John Hart has seen a bit of theatre.