Group One winner to head new Singapore venture

Donna Logan will have one of her favourite horses to fly her new stable flag at Kranji.

The Ruakaka horsewoman is on the road to recovery after suffering a fractured skull in a fall last month that has so far prevented her from flying to Singapore for a new chapter in her training career.

When she does get her doctor’s clearance, Logan’s new team will include the multiple Group One winner Volkstok’n’barrell, who is unlikely to race here before his departure.

“We’re just keeping him ticking over until he heads up there,” Logan’s New Zealand training partner Chris Gibbs said.

The winner of nearly $1.5 million, Volkstok'n'barrell has won at the highest level in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), New Zealand Stakes (2000m), Haunui Farm Classic (1600m) and the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

Volkstok’n’barrell last raced when third in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, the stable has also decided on a different direction for last season’s Listed Mufhasa Stakes (1300m) winner Romancer.

“We’ve freshened him for the Concorde,” Gibbs said. “It’s a change of tack, but we can always go back up in distance.”

The Gr.3 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap (1200m) will be run at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Romancer, who has won twice at the distance, was successful over 1400m on his home track earlier this month for his fourth career victory from 10 appearances.