Logan claims a third Irish Cesarewitch for Guilfoyle

From his debut appearance in victory at Thurles Greyhound Stadium, Skywalker Logan (Tarsna Havana/Sizzling Sarah) was touted in these pages as a future classic winner and following a plethora of astounding performances in his exciting career to date, the superstar racer fulfilled that prophecy with a stunning display to claim victory in the 2019 Larry Clancy Memorial Irish Cesarewitch at Mullingar on Saturday.

Bred in Moneygall at the kennels of trainer Pat Guilfoyle, Logan was purchased by loyal kennel supporter Ray Patterson following his brilliant career start and this victory was a second classic success for the partnership having combined to claim the Irish St Leger with Skywalker Rory in 2015.

So often turning to the Moneygall kennels for victory hopes in the major events, these victories have also brought much cause for celebration to the kennels of Geoff Parnaby in Borrisoleigh as the breeder of Skywalker Rory (Skywalker Puma/Tarsna Sal) and it was a fateful decision by Emer Guilfoyle to choose Geoff’s young sire Tarsna Havana, a brother to Rory, for the final mating in the wonderful breeding career of Sizzling Sarah.

A 5/4 shot following his faster semi-final success at Mullingar, defence of the inside pitch in the early exchanges appeared the key factor for final victory but Logan’s early effort from Trap 2 was hindered somewhat when bumping into Mean Beauty upon breaking. Pacing up well to the corner, he did however dispute the lead on the inside before a forceful sweep into the bend from main market rival Totos Park saw the Guilfoyle star severely hampered. In truth, that should have been enough to quash his victory hopes when four lengths adrift in third before reaching the back-straight but while sometimes struggling for consistency, the raw speed of Skywalker Logan when in full flight can be a sight to behold and once taking aim at the leaders on the back-straight, he would produce another astounding surge of pace to pass Totos Park while bearing down on Vaguely Noble at the third bend.

Further inconvenienced when forced to check by that pacesetter upon turning, his troubled passage would require yet another rallying effort if he was indeed to claim victory and in brave battling fashion, Logan was not found wanting. Now in command of the rails when turning for home, he powered clear to a resounding three and a half-length verdict in what was a brilliant time of 33.40 (-70) given his passage throughout the 600 yard journey.

 

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