Saltcoats has made an encouraging start to his career and will on Saturday bid to go one better and deliver a first black-type success for Cambridge trainer Samantha Logan.
The Ardrossan two-year-old’s target is the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa and he has trained on well since his debut second at Hastings last month.
“He did a few things wrong, but his sectionals were still good and we were very pleased with him,” Logan said.
“We’ve always had a high opinion of him, as with all of the Ardrossans we’ve had. They’ve all showed natural ability so we definitely weren’t surprised.”
Logan said Saltcoats hadn’t missed a beat since his first outing and will again be partnered by Kozzi Asano.
“He came through the race well and the trip away helped him to grow up a little bit as well. He has done everything right and we’re happy where he’s at.”
The only question mark Logan has is the heavy track after Saltcoats ran so well on a Good 4 surface at Hastings.
“I’m not really sure how he’ll handle it, but he ran out a strong 1300m so we know he’s fit enough and he’s tough and will try his best,” she said.
He is out of the Savabeel mare Savanite, who is a half-sister to the Gr.2 Waikato Gold Cup (2400m) winner Singing Star, also the dam of the Gr.3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner and Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Miss Selby.
Saltcoats is also from the family of the dual Group One winner Viadana and is raced by breeder Lib Petagna under his JML Bloodstock banner.
“It’s a real privilege to train for Lib and initially it was just to get horses trialled up to go to other trainers in Australia, but he was happy with the job we did with Saltcoats,” Logan said.
“He was happy for us to have a couple of runs with him and where he goes next is undecided, whether he does cross the Tasman to a new stable, I’m not sure and I’m just happy to have this chance.”
Logan will also be represented at Te Rapa by Super Love Dragon in the Silverton Alexander Valuers Mile (1600m) with Joe Kamaruddin to guide his chances.
The three-year-old was a course and distance winner in February before a freshen-up and finished midfield when resuming last month.
“The wide draw was tough on him last time and that’s why we scratched last week, we didn’t want to go from a wide gate again,” Logan said.
“He did run the fastest last 800m in his last race, but just got too far off them on a day when they needed to be handy.
“I’m happy with him and he’s definitely going to be better in six months’ time so we’re just taking it step by step at the moment.”