After what can only be labelled a frustrating Cup Week, Mighty Logan was back to his absolute best at Methven yesterday, coming from what seemed an impossible position on the turn to take out the Yabby Dam Farms Green Mile for the trotters.
In both the Dominion Handicap on Cup Day and the Trotters free-for-all on Show Day, Mighty Logan was the victim of being held up by tiring runners, on both occasions getting home with great purpose once he was able to get into the clear in the home straight. From his draw on the inside of the second row yesterday and ending up pocketed four back on the inside, it looked on turning for home that it may again have been a case of deja vu. However, on this occasion John was able to extract the Creatine 6yo from his precarious position, easing out of a tight spot at the 200m, before coming home with too much momentum for his rivals.
Yesterday’s win was Mighty Logan’s 11th from 42 starts for his owners Barry and Diane Clark and takes his stake earnings to just under $300,000. The win and the time – a new race record of 1.57.4 – prove that the horse is at the top of his game and that an exciting 2026 season is in store. Before then however, he will head north with stablemate Ya Rite Darl, with his target the Group One National Trot for $100,000 on New Years eve where after yesterday’s win he is likely to start one of the favourites.
Ya Rite Darl is another trotter at the top of her game and will run in the Queen of Diamonds prelude at Alexandra Park this Friday night, ahead of the Group One Queen of Diamonds the following week. While her recent form line may not suggest so, she has had excuses. In the Ascent on Show Day, she was travelling superbly before being checked at a critical stage, while in the Trotting Oaks a week later she went off stride after an early burn for the lead proved unsuccessful. She is a quality filly and much is expected of her on this Northern sojourn as she takes on some proven older trotting mares.
Star three-year-old Got The Chocolates is now out for a deserved break, after his late season exploits. Also out for a break until the new year are two-year-old trotting fillies Petite Armour and Flying Dreams. Both have finished their campaigns on a winning note, with the latter justifying the big opinion that John has of her with her win on Friday night.