 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1968
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1968 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP
Logan Count completed a "double" for the Clark Bros., of Greenpark, when he won the Dominion Handicap at Addington on Show day. Logan Count is owned and trained by E A Clark, and was driven by his brother L R Clark, who owned and trained the 1965 winner, Mighty Chief, who was driven by D J Townley.
Stamina was a feature of Logan Count's success, and he narrowly missed being put right out of the race when Uteena put a foot into Logan Count's sulky in the first furlong. The mishap caused Logan Count to break and lose about 18 yards. Logan Count made up ground to be fifth at the half mile and he led over the last two furlongs, and always appeared to be in control of the situation over the last furlong. He recorded 4:18.2 for the two miles, time which has been bettered only three times previously.
A seven-year-old by Court Martial, Logan Count is out of Marion Mack, who was got by Logan Derby-Swordsman's Lady, by Swordsman-Pansy Wrack, by Wrack from the New Zealand Pansy, who was by St Swithin and tracing back to the foundation mare Verity. Apart from Marion Mack, Swordsman's Lady's progeny included Nagol Derby, Lenvin and Joell's Lad, all winners at the trotting gait.
Court Martial is the most successful NZ bred sire of trotters in recent years. A Light Brigade horse, he has left a string of top trotters including Moon Boy (4:15.8), Reprimand (2:03.4), Rannach Lad (2:54.2, a NZ record for 11 furlongs), Acquit and others including NZ Trotting Stakes winners in Belmartial, Court Out and Ninety Days. Court Martial's sire Light Brigade was NZ's top sire of trotters for some years.
Clark, who has a dairy farm, has been interested in trotters and gallopers over a long period, but Dark Duet has been the only other winner he has had at a trotting meeting. Prince Morocco was probably his most successful galloper. Brother L R developed and has driven Mighty Chief in most of his successes.
Logan Count was bred by Mr E D Johnson, Leeston, and Clark recalls that Logan Count nearly died last March with a severe attack of colic. He just resumed racing this spring
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar