Donna Logan is hoping a return to Ruakaka this weekend can help reinvigorate her Group Three performer Yokozuna.
The three-year-old son of Fierce Impact began his career with a hiss and a roar at the Northland track last year, winning on debut as a late two-year-old before finishing runner-up to Group One performer Tajana in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
He failed to recapture that form when he resumed earlier this year, finishing unplaced in four runs, including three at Ellerslie, a track Logan has found is not to his liking.
“I am not sure that he likes Ellerslie’s track,” the Byerley Park trainer said. “They either like it or they don’t, and in his last start Tom (Wigram, apprentice jockey) said he didn’t let go at all. He was really tight and sore in his muscles after the race, so we just gave him a little freshen-up and he seems to be back a happy horse again.”
While looking forward to lining him up at Ruakaka, Logan said Yokozuna will have to overcome his wide draw and big impost in the Mike ‘Gibbo’ Gibson Memorial (1400m), but he will have the benefit of senior jockey Sam Collett aboard.
“The 59.5 kilos will be something he has got to contend with, and barrier 10 is not ideal, but I am picking he is going to love the track,” Logan said.
“I think having Sam Collett on will be good, she has trialled him, she is a good, strong rider and that might be what he needs.
“I am looking for an improved run from him.”
Yokozuna will be met in his race by stablemate Girlzgirlzgirlz, who heads into the race in winning form after posting her maiden victory over 1200m at Tauranga last month, and Logan is hopeful of a repeat performance this weekend.
“We have had a pretty high opinion of her and it was a nice win at Tauranga,” Logan said. “Fingers crossed with the weight advantage she can perform well again. She is unknown on that track, but I don’t know a lot of horses that don’t like Ruakaka.”
Logan will head to Ruakaka with a quartet of other runners, and she is particularly upbeat about the prospects of consistent filly Long Island in the Fireco (1600m) and two-year-old gelding Summit Rendezvous in the Lion Red (1200m).
“Long Island probably went too far when we tried her up over ground at Te Rapa (last start),” Logan said. “She probably hasn’t got the strength to go 2100m at this point. She is back to a mile and I think she will like the track at Ruakaka. She has been really consistent.
“Summit Rendezvous is backing up (from Ruakaka last Saturday where he ran fourth over 1200m) but he came through that last run super. He is a two-year-old and he is taking on the three-year-olds, but he will have the weight relief for doing that, he will only carry 50.5 kilos. He performed really well on the track last week, just the quick back-up is the only question mark.”
Logan will also be represented at the meeting by Pact in the Hirepool (1400m) and Miss Margot in the Fireco (1600m). – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
