Racing: Hasselhoof due luck in Zabeel

Hasselhoof loomed as a major contender for the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown series in the spring.

Donna Logan is looking forward to a time when Hasselhoof enjoys a trouble-free preparation into a target race.

The Ruakaka horsewoman and her training partner Chris Gibbs have been consistently frustrated by setbacks ahead of group one starts for the talented gelding.

Hasselhoof loomed as a major contender for the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown series in the spring, only to strike a soft track when unplaced in the opening leg, the group one Makfi Challenge Stakes.

The stable elected to stay closer to home and use the listed Karaka Classic as his lead in to the group one Livamol Classic, but then had to scratch Hasselhoof from the Pukekohe Park race due to another heavily rain-affected track.

Under the circumstances, he subsequently performed well off a five week break to finish third in the Livamol.

A minor foot injury then ruled out the group one Captain Cook Stakes for Hasselhoof, who recovered to finish a bold last-start third in the listed J. Swap Contractors at Te Rapa.

"One day it's all going to fall into place for him and he'll win his group one," Logan said.

She is hoping their reward may come at Ellerslie on Boxing Day in the Zabeel Classic. "His preparation hasn't been ideal again, but I think he can do it," Logan said.

Ironically, it could be his stablemate Volkstok'n'barrell, a multiple group one winner, who could be the main obstacle. "He looks magnificent and it is unfortunate that they have to clash," Logan said.

- NZ Racing Desk