The Donna and Dean Logan local stable is always worth following at Ruakaka. Dean Logan told this column yesterday he felt of his 19 acceptors, maiden runners Thornbird Lass and Rocknrolla (No11, R4) were among the stable's best chances.
Rocknrolla looked unlucky not to quit maidens last start with her close second at Pukekohe and this 1400m trip looks ideal. Itsforfree (No2) looks a danger. Thornbird Lass (No4, R3) just missed quitting her duck on this track last start and is due a win here. She has drawn a nice barrier and will take plenty of beating. Look Whos Talking (No3) is the danger from an inside barrier. He's not far from a win. Keepaflight (No10) could be some value.
Biologist (No4, R2) could be pretty good. His form going into a slow track at Ellerslie last start had been on good ground, but he made it look easy. No reason why he can't keep that form going. Local Candle In The Wind (No5) is a danger.
Barbaric (No3, R5) has only to come around the home turn comfortably to win the sprint. He is better than most sprinters around and needs things to go only slightly his way to be difficult to beat. Flower Bomb (No2) is going to be dangerous.
Pink Bubbles (No8, R7) has had only the two starts and looks good. She comes in here for her first start in a good while, but she showed a level of fitness when she won an Ellerslie barrier trial on May 15. That should have set her up nicely for this. To Be Sure (No4) and Merrily (No7) look the dangers Forget the form at Trentham on May 24 - it's a shame we all couldn't.
One Cool Message (No8, R8) didn't cope and his seventh placing was excellent.
Casino Park (No3, R10) deserves a win and Silver City (No2) has a remarkable record on the track.
Troy Harris will have unbeaten partnerships to defend on two dour sons of Istidaad in the feature jumping events at Awapuni today. The 25-year-old will combine with Tim in the LJ Hooker Manawatu Steeplechase and Istimagic in the Manawatu ITM Awapuni Hurdles.
The Group One-winning jockey has made a successful early transition to jumps riding and has a perfect record aboard the Dean Cunningham-trained Tim following lead-up wins at Wanganui and Hastings.
"You can't ask for much more and he's a good, safe jumper," Harris said. "It was pretty wet at Wanganui and he can go on the better tracks as well." Harris was also impressed with the Ellerslie debut hurdle winner Istimagic, who won't be troubled by the prospect of Heavy 11 footing.
"The wetter the better for him and he'll stay all day," he said.
Harris is also confident of a bold showing from Stuertzer in the Tasman Isolation Hurdles.
"He'll be a good ride and he's gone some nice races when he was beaten by a couple of good jumpers," he said.
Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
