Sonja Logan wins Palmerston Sprint a year after she was bashed by group of men
A year after she was the victim of a brutal bashing outside her home, jockey Sonja Logan continued her amazing comeback story with success in the Palmerston Sprint in Darwin.
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By Andrew O’Toole (NT News)
Northern Territory jockey Sonja Logan scored an emotion-charged win in the Palmerston Sprint on Saturday, 12 months after she was brutally bashed with a rock outside her home.
Logan missed the Darwin Cup carnival last year following the terrifying ordeal where she was attacked by a group of men in her car, leaving her with severe facial injuries including a broken nose and smashed teeth just weeks before her wedding.
But she continued her amazing comeback story when she guided the Chris Pollard-trainer Early Crow to victory in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday.
“I am so rapt to win this race for Pollard – I was meant to ride Early Crow last year for Dick Leech before the attack – and I’ve had a good association with the owners for a good while now. It means so much to me,” Logan said.
Early Crow powers home to go back-to-back in the Palmerston Sprint! An emotional win for jockey Sonja Logan 🙌 pic.twitter.com/fIg3jqr796
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 3, 2024
Early Crow became the fifth back-to-back winner of the Palmerston Sprint after blitzing his rivals by 2½ lengths.
The six-year-old travelled strongly behind pacemakers Ideas Man, Star Magnum and Zourata before Logan made her move 400m from home.
The fast-finishing Lumber Punk ran second with Ideas Man holding on to third.
Pollard, who has been training in Darwin for about 20 years, has had a career of ups and downs, with his previous biggest win the Chief Minister’s Cup with Igles Star in 2013.
12 months ago, Sonja Logan was the victim of a savage assault. Today, she's the winner of the Palmerston Sprint.
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 3, 2024
An emotional Sonja spoke to Greg Radley following today's victory on Early Crow. An incredible comeback â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/cdi2YidfeV
However, he has always been a fine horseman and the Palmerston win was certainly a reward for plenty of effort.
“It’s nice to get a good horse – I’ve a few in the stable without that much ability – and I am grateful to the owners for supporting me,” Pollard said.
“I’ve shod this horse for a while now so I know him pretty well. And Sonja gave him a lovely ride.”
Early Crow is raced by Phil Brittain along with his wife Kim and sons Brendon and Richard. The son of Kuroshio has been a good money-spinner for the family, with his latest Palmerston win his 11th from just 28 starts, taking his prizemoney in excess of $350,000.
Meanwhile, Equal Balance gave South Australian trainer Kym Healy his third winner of the carnival when sneaking home along the inside rail to score in the Silks Darwin Mile (1600m).
Ridden by leading apprentice Emma Lines, Equal Balance enjoyed a nice run behind the speed and set out after pacemaker Marvelous Night early in the home straight.
He collared his rival inside the last 100m and went on to win by a length, with favourite Global Wonder in third.
Originally published as Sonja Logan wins Palmerston Sprint a year after she was bashed by group of men
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