Derby and Auckland Cup blows for stable

Ruakaka trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs have been dealt a double blow within 24 hours going into the Auckland Cup carnival.

The stable will be down to one runner, Wyndspelle, in the Gr.1 $1 million Vodafone New Zealand Derby, after being forced to withdraw Romancer through a minor injury, while a tendon problem has ruled St Jean out of the Gr.1 $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup and ended his racing career.

“St Jean had a bit of a puffy tendon yesterday and we’ve had to pull him out of the Auckland Cup, then this morning we find Romancer has got a tear to the laminae wall in his heel,” Logan said.

“It’s gut wrenching after all the hard work that has gone in to get them this far. But at least they’re both going to live for another day.

“They weren’t the phone calls I wanted to make, telling the owners they’re out.

“Romancer had galloped well with Volkstok'n’barrell yesterday and at that stage everything was on target for the Derby.”

Romancer, a son of Redwood, has won two of his six starts, including the Listed Mufhasa Stakes at Ellerslie last December, and had his final two Derby lead-ups in the Karaka 3YO Mile (fifth) and the Avondale Guineas (11th). He was unsuited by the wet track in the Avondale feature.

“Romancer can have a bit of a spell and hopefully we can get him up for the Queensland Derby,” Logan said. “The owner of St Jean is looking for a new home for him to stand at stud.”

St Jean had four starts from the Logan – Gibbs stable and won the Gr.3 City of Auckland Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, proving to his new trainers he would be a leading hope in the Auckland Cup.

“It’s a shame we can’t get to the Auckland Cup with him because that was always going to be his race,” Logan said. “He deserves his chance at stud. He’s got good bloodlines and is a Group Three winner.”

St Jean, a son of Teofilio, began his career in Ireland then raced in Australia. He won four races before entering the Logan/Gibbs stable.

Despite the defection of Romancer, Logan and Gibbs still have a strong Derby prospect in Wyndspelle, the last-start winner of the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas who furthered his preparation with an exhibition gallop at Avondale last week.

“He’s thrived and looks brilliant, I’m happy with him,” Logan said. “He hasn’t put a foot wrong and I’m not too worried about the Derby distance (2400m). He’s out of a staying mare and he relaxes.”

Logan will be chasing her second New Zealand Derby win, having taken the event in 2013 with Habibi when training in partnership withher late husband Dean. The stable was also second the following two years with Rising Romance and Volkstok’n’barrell, while back in 1998 El Duce was also runner-up.

Wyndspelle, a son of Iffraaj, will be ridden by Danielle Johnson.

Romancer’s withdrawal ensures Beaumarchais, the only horse sitting outside the final 18, will gain a start. Beaumarchais will give Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards a two-pronged attack, headed by Avondale Guineas winner Gingernuts.

Beaumarchais will be ridden by Michael McNab, while stable rider Opie Bosson will climb aboard Gingernuts