ARTILLERY TAKES AIM AT CLASSIC

3YO Sprint second convinces Logan to press on to 1,400m leg

-  Michael Lee

On June 3, 2023, the racing outlook looked bright for trainer Donna Logan, especially for her two-yearold babies Artillery and Santino.

The Te Akau Racing pair ran second and third respectively at their Kranji launch in a Restricted Maiden (1,200m), auguring well for their Group 3 Singapore Golden Horseshoe (1,200m) aspirations in seven weeks' time.

Longer term, they also fitted the bill as three-year-old contenders in 2024.

Barely two days later, these lofty projects were the furthest things on the New Zealander's mind. Like her 21 fellow Kranji trainers, she was hit with a bombshell - racing was closing on Oct 5, 2024.

Life had to go on until then but, targeting and planning for races, which are an exciting and challenging part of a trainer's job, suddenly felt hollow.

Almost like going through the motions, she pressed on with her plans for Artillery and Santino, but was thrown another spanner in the works when Santino nearly lost his life in a freak accident at the stables.

Luckily, the remaining Artillery lived up to his 2YO billing even if he did not win the Golden Horseshoe.

He ran on for third to Greatham Boy, and also won second-up.

The son of Smart Missile still had a shot at 3YO glory at Singapore racing's farewell in 2024.