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There are a million reasons why St Jean won’t be a race short when he steps out at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The Ruakaka galloper, who has not raced since January 1, will get a crack at a $1 million bonus if he can win the Gr.2 Go Racing Syndications Avondale Cup.

St Jean took the first leg of the Ellerslie Stayers’ Triple Crown when successful in the Gr.3 City Of Auckland Cup at his last start, with the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup on March 11 completing the series.

The bonus will be paid to any horse who can win all three races in the same year.

“You don’t get that opportunity very often,” said Donna Logan, who trains in partnership with Chris Gibbs.

St Jean, who has raced successfully in three countries, was having his first race for more than two years when he resumed on November 1 and the City Of Auckland Cup was just his third run in the campaign.

He was a maiden winner in Ireland before being bought at auction by an Australian syndicate. St Jean had four wins and a second from eight starts in Australia for Warrnambool trainer Aaron Purcell, before going amiss in 2014, when being aimed at the Caulfield Cup.

He is still owned in Australia, but was transferred to Logan and Gibbs last year.

“He’s a very smart horse,” Logan said. “His work has been super and we are very happy with him. He’s very clean-winded and keeps himself fit and is an absolute gentleman to deal with.”

Logan and Gibbs made a big impact at Te Rapa this month, taking the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas with Wyndspelle and the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes with Volkstok’n’barrell and St Jean will not be their only hope this weekend.

Wyndspelle and stablemate Romancer tackle the Gr.2 Retina Specialists Avondale Guineas, with Tavidream, Floating Heart and Comin’through completing the Ellerslie team.

The stable will also have two runners at New Plymouth, including leading Gr.3 Platinum Homes Taranaki Cup contender All Roads.