Vile vying to maintain terrific training record
AWAPUNI-based horseman Gary Vile is in arguably the best training form of his career after notching a personal-best tally on the stakes front.
The popular trainer said the season has been unprecedented for the stable.
“We’ve had five individual black type winners, so it’s been a really good time for us,” Vile said.
They include the now-retired Miss Appleton, which took out the Group Two Manawatu Challenge Stakes, Jacksstar, which saluted in the Group Three Manawatu Cup, Rock On (Listed New Zealand St Leger), Hard Merchandize (Castletown Stakes) and Slimline (Manawatu Anzac 1600).
Rock On is one galloper which has caught Vile’s eye following a return to the yard.
Following a break after its Australian venture, Rock On and he will be aimed toward the Group One Livamol Classic, a race won by the stable with Ransomed in 2013.
Vile is hopeful of a good showing, providing everything everything goes to plan.
“He’s been back in the stable for a month and at this stage he will be kicking off on the first day at Hawke’s Bay and then hopefully on to the Group One, if everything goes right,” Vile said.
“His barrier manners haven’t been the greatest, but he was good in Sydney and Melbourne.”
The Road To Rock gelding finished third in the Group Two Chairman’s Handicap at Randwick and then ran third at Flemington.
Another horse the team is backing in for a quality career is Hard Merchandize.
Very proud @TeAkauRacing David Ellis bought both the dam & sire of 2day's stakes' winner Hard Merchandize & Te Akau trained both
— Te Akau Racing (@TeAkauRacing) June 3, 2017
The rising three-year-old impressed in its juvenile campaign with three wins from five starts, and Vile is hopeful the horse can handle a rise in distance.
“We’ll probably look at the Wanganui Guineas for him and later on we’ll find out whether he’s just a sprinter or if he can get a mile – we’re hoping he can,” the trainer said.
Should Hard Merchandize indicate he can cope with 1600m, Vile’s main longer term target will be the Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Ellerslie.