HAROLD LOGAN, 4.13 2-5

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21308, 30 October 1934, Page 14

HAROLD LOGAN, 4.13 2-5

HOLDER OP WORLD'S RECORD [By MILES] The Wellington Trotting Club's meeting on Saturday provided the last public trial for horses engaged in the New Zealand Cup. It is some years since such interest was manifested in the big two mile race, and while in some previous years there has been at least one outstanding performer, the trials up to the present give to at least half a dozen horses claims to favouritism. Harold Logan, Roi l'Or, Red Shadow, Indianapolis, Silver de Oro, and Blue Mountain have all advanced in popular favour during the last few weeks, and while Indianapolis has held his position as favourite, it is no certainty that he will retain his position to the day of the race. Last season's racing proved beyond all doubt Harold Logan to be the best horse racing in New Zealand, although his form at the last November meeting left some doubt on the subject. The series of match races he engaged in seemed to improve the pacer, and he promises to strip a better horse than ever before. His owner-trainer, Mr E. F. C. Hinds, is well satisfied with the condition of Harold Logan and of his ability to. win his third New Zealand Cup. He thinks he can improve on what was shown at New Brighton, Oamaru, and Hutt Park, and this being so, another victory over two miles is not beyond the bounds of possibility. The performances of Harold Logan are fresh in. the minds of all, and while in his earliest days he showed a fine style of pacing and a lot of speed, he was then regarded as unfortunate in the possession of legs that would not stand a searching preparation. It was when he was purchased by Mr Hinds that a serious attempt was made to get him sound, and now the little pacer in his twelfth year appears to be sounder than at any previous stage of his racing career. The early unsoundness has proved a blessing in disguise, for it should be remembered that Harold Logan was not raced until he was nearly six years old, and while this gave him a chance to develop stamina it also delayed the most serious part of his racing career to a time when the introduction of the handicapping system limited the penalties that could be imposed, and give a horse a chance to earn as much as he was worth. In pre-system days Harold Logan would have been on the racing scrap-heap long before he was 12 years old, and his performances of two miles in 4min 13 2-ssec, one and a quarter miles in 2min 36 3-ssec, and a mile in 2min 4 2-ssec, would have earned him far greater penalties than they have done. A wonderful little horse is Harold Logan, fully entitled to his mark of 4min 20sec in the New Zealand Cup. Harold Logan has already won the race twice —in 1931 he did the journey in 4min 18 2-ssec, and j in the following year 4min 16 2-ssec i went up against his name—the two fastest times registered in this race. On the second occasion he won off a 4min 21sec mark, and shares with another great horse —Great Bingen—this distinctive honour. It is two years since Harold Logan won the Cup, and he has not won a two mile race since. One reason is that he has started in comparatively few races over this distance. His efforts for the last six months have been confined to match racing, and races over a mile and a quarter, the ideal preparation for a serious race. The Record Breaker The present season's efforts by Harold Logan are full of interest, and almost prove him to be a better horse than ever before. At the August meeting at Addington he attempted to give starts up to 60 yards over a mile, but though he went a fme race he was beaten out of a place, and in two other efforts at the meeting he failed over a mile and a quarter, although he was fourth in the Farewell Handicap. His next appearance at New Brighton was in the Avon Handicap. when over a mile and a quarter he conceded starts up to 84 yards, and won in 2min 36 3-ssec, establishing a New Zealand record. In the Weston Handicap at Oamaru he finished close behind Silver de Oro over a mile and a quarter, and in a still harder race at Wellington on Saturday he conceded 84 yards, and was beaten a neck by Blue Mountain —a sterling trial for his big engagement. While Harold Logan is set a task that he failed to accomplish last year, when he finished fifth, and a task that has not been completed by any horse raced in New Zealand, his prospects are brighter than they were 12 months ago. He will go to the post as fit as any horse in the race, and in the hands of M. Holmes he will be well served. «■ Son of Renowned Sire Harold Logan's job in the New Zealand Cup is in front of him, and for any other horse training at present would be regarded as hopeless. He has given the public so many thrills that another one in this race would be as popular as any recorded, and any slackening of pace by (he leaders will find him on hand at the finish. Harold Logan is a son of Logan Pointer, the greatest sire ever imported to New Zealand, and to the infusion of this true pacing blood may be attributed his natural aptitude for fast racing. On the maternal side his breeding is rather obscure, for while his dam, Ivy Cole, was by King Cme. a fine pacer, and son of the champion Ribbonwood. his second dam, Wisconsin, was by a practically unknown sire in Duncan Abdallah, from Charity, regarding whose breeding there is nothing definite known. I REASSESSMENTS Mr G. Paul supplies the following reassessments of placed horses at the Wellington Trotting Club's meeting:—

WAIPLKURAU MEETING | (rRESS ASSOCIATIOJf TELF.GiAM.) HASTINGS, October 29. The following are additional acceptances for the Waipukurau Jockey Club's meeting:— Ruahine Hack Handicap—Lavina C-8. The Khedive 7-0. Spring Hack Handicap—Maine 8-2, Hatuma 7-10.

Horse. Table. Line. Agility . 1 n Blondie . 1 li Blue Mountain . 1 2-10 2-43 4-20 Eundee . 1 12 Guy o' Mine 2 13 Handicapper ! i 1 2-37 4-20 Harold Logan . i 2-5 Imposter . i 8 Lady Fame . i 17 Nobleman . i IB Paragon . i 7 Plain Pearl . i 16 2-42 4-25 Rollo . i 2-!) Sage King . i 7 Sylvia Sydney . i 13 Triangle 1-1 Welcome Guy . 2 17 Banks Peninsula Jock*?} Club's meeting:— Horse. Table. Line. Golden Cross . 1 14. Myra. Chenault . 1 1 Noble Prince . 1 7 Subsidy . 1 D IVaving Corn . 1 fi Zest . 1 1 New Assessment Aiklow . 1 -1