By Heather Anderson
Three-time Group 1 winner Volkstok'n'barrell (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) aims to return to the winner's circle in the NZ$200,000 G1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile at Trentham Saturday. Spotting his rivals anywhere from seven to 12 pounds, the 130-pound highweight landed the G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S. at Ellerslie last March, but has had a bit of an up-and-down record since, finishing third in the G2 A.D. Hollingdale two starts on May 7, before taking fourth in the G1 Doomben Cup later that month. A heavy impost in the Listed The Wayne Wilson Mile at Eagle Farm resulted in the 2015 Rosehill Guineas hero lame in his near foreleg when last of 17 going a mile June 11. Given time to recover, the Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs charge ran sixth in the G1 Captain Cook S. in his seasonal opener Dec. 3 and gave notice of his improved fitness with a narrow second as the crowd's pick in the G1 Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day.
“He's in great shape, but he's not particularly well in on Saturday although it's better than him carrying 64kg at Pukekohe,” Logan told www.racingnews.co.nz. “The race will keep him right up to the mark for the [G1] Herbie Dyke S.”
Conditioner Stephen Marsh saddles four chances Saturday, including Dec. 10 Listed J Swap Contractors Spring winner Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), with stablemate Seize the Moment (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) second, before completing the exacta behind that foe in the G3 Anniversary S. at Trentham Jan. 14. Ruud Not Too (NZ) (Bernardini) aims to stretch her winning streak to three, after taking the 1500-metre Rising Stars C'ship Final at Ellerslie Dec. 26 and earned a career best with a victory in the G2 Rich Hill Mile there Jan. 1. Marsh's quartet is rounded out by G3 Hawkes Bay Breeders Gold Trial hero Serious Satire (Aus) (More Than Ready).
“We've got four in and they are all running,” an excited Marsh told www.racingnews.co.nz. “It's very exciting and it's created a bit of talk too. It was always something we'd worked towards. They all had their final gallops at Cambridge Thursday morning and they all worked exceptionally well too. They are in great order and we just need a bit of luck in the running now.”
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