By Heather Anderson
Tabbed the 11-5 crowd's pick in the NZ$400,000 G1 Herbie Dyke S. at Te Rapa Saturday, Volkstok'n'barrell (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) saluted by a head over 5-2 second choice Savile Row (NZ) (Makfi {GB}), with the veteran Authentic Paddy (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit) only another neck back in third. It was the fourth Group 1 win for Volkstok'n'barrell, and his first since taking the G1 Bonecrusher S. last preparation in March of 2016.
“I haven't been on him for a little while, so it's great to be back,” said pilot Vinnie Colgan, who was reunited with the 2015 G1 Rosehill Guineas winner and G1 Australian Derby third in Saturday's 2000-metre feature. “We had a sweet trip and when I pulled him out, he picked up nicely. He's a tough horse.”
Tucked back in sixth as the leading duo of Authentic Paddy and Saint Emilion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) opened up on the field on the back straight, Volkstok'n'barrell was given his cue by Colgan at the 600-metre mark. Fanned four off the fence turning into the lane, a hole opened up for the bay inside the last 300 metres and he grinded to a narrow advantage as Savile Row gobbled up ground late on. At the winning post, Volkstok'n'barrell just held on over his younger rival, with pacesetter Authentic Paddy game in third over the in foal mare Abidewithme (NZ) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), who was making her final start.
“It's just so nice to see him back, he's such a neat horse,” co-trainer Donna Logan, who trains with Chris Gibbs, told www.nzracing.co.nz. “This was our plan all the way through, we're so excited. He's had his knockers and we've kept quiet and now he's done it. He's had awkward draws, distances that didn't suite and weights that didn't measure up, but he was 100% today.”
Volkstok'n'barrell claimed his second top-flight victory in the G1 Haunui Farm Classic last February and eked out a narrow tally in the G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S. a month later. His form tailed off sharply in four subsequent starts that campaign and the gelding resurfaced with a sixth-place effort after a slow beginning in the Dec. 3 G1 Captain Cook S., with Authentic Paddy third at Trentham. Second to Consensus (NZ) (Postponed) in the G1 Zabeel Classic going this trip on Boxing day, Volkstok'n'barrell ran fourth last time in the G1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile Jan. 28.
Pedigree Notes…
Volkstok'n'barrell's dam, the once winning Volkster (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), is out of a full-sister to Australian MG1SW Getting Closer (NZ) (Long Row {GB}), and a half-sister to fellow Aussie SW Instrumental (NZ) (Chem). Farther back, this is the family of English champion miler and champion 3-year-old filly Swiss Maid (GB) (Welsh Pageant {Fr}) and G1 Derby Italiano hero Don Orazio (GB) (Homing {GB}). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Saturday, Te Rapa, New Zealand
HERBIE DYKE S.-G1, NZ$400,000 (US$288,040/£230,662/€270,721), Waikato RC, 2-11, Open, WFA,, 2000mT, 2:01.35, gd.
1–VOLKSTOK'N'BARRELL, 59.0, g, 5, by Tavistock
1st Dam: Volkster, by Volksraad (GB)
2nd Dam: Row of Mapperley, by Long Row (GB)
3rd Dam: Petwood (GB), by Petingo (GB)
(NZ$50,000 Ylg 2013 NZB National Yearling Sale) O-G J Cossey,
Mrs A Gibbs, C W Gibbs, J A Gibbs Mnzm, A M Goodwin, Mrs D
M Logan & Rosemont Stud Pty Ltd; B-IDL Breeding Ltd,
Waikato, NZ; T-D Logan & C Gibbs; J-V A Colgan; NZ$237,500.
Lifetime Record: 26-9-2-4, A$1,374,020. Werk Nick Rating: A+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Savile Row, 54.0, c, 3, Makfi (GB)–Fleece (GB), by Daylami
(Ire). (NZ$120,000 Ylg 2015 NZB National Yearling Sale). O-K J
Hickman; B-K J Hickman, Canterbury, NZ; T-M Moroney & P
Gerard; J-M T Coleman; NZ$76,000.
3–Authentic Paddy, 59.0, g, 7, Howbaddouwantit (USA)–
Authentic Cross, by Cape Cross (Ire). O-Mrs J E Berry, C, P J & T
Gray & M Tepaa; B-D H Robinson, Central, NZ; T-Ms L Latta; J-R
J Hannam; NZ$38,000.
Margins: HD, NK, HD. Odds: 2.20, 2.70, 15.40.
Also Ran: Abidewithme, Consensus, Saint Emilion, Jon Snow, Promise to Reign (Aus), Trojan Warrior, Nymph Monte.
Click for the Racing Post chart or the NZ Racing Video.
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