Racing: Leading Role has eye on Marton Cup

Leading Role won t mind the rain at Awapuni today. Photo / Race Images

Success in today's Marton Cup (2100m) with Leading Role would provide a welcome boost for Gary Vile.

The Awapuni trainer was shocked this week when his well-performed stayer Rock On broke down.

"I'm shattered, he was galloping on Wednesday and did a tendon so he's out for six months," Vile said. "It's a hard, hard game."

Rock On won the New Zealand St Leger (2500m) last season to earn a trip to Australia where he ran third in the Gr.2 Chairman's Handicap (2800m) at Randwick and fourth in a 2500m handicap at Flemington.

The Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) had been the aim for the five-year-old, who won two starts back before finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m).

Leading Role has a chance to lift stable spirits today and Vile is planning a change of tactics.

"A bit of rain would help his chances and he will be ridden a lot more aggressively," Vile said.

"He got too far back in the Manawatu Cup and he had no show from back there."

Placed in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) last season, the four-year-old was an unlucky second two starts back at Awapuni. He was held up for a run and only got clear in the closing 100m.

Stablemate Slimline is also rated a strong chance in the Central ITM Premier (1400m) following her bold effort for third in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m).

"She can go a cheeky race," Vile said. "Weight-for-age didn't suit her last time and she drops four kilos, 53kg is a great weight for her."

• Smokin' Oak will round off his preparation for a pot of northern gold when he steps out at Awapuni.

The smart son of Burgundy will make an appearance in today's Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services 3YO Premier (1300m) before stepping up to a mile.

"There's not really another option, but if the rain comes it will be more like 1500m," trainer John Bary said.

"After this he'll got to Ellerslie for the Karaka Million 3YO Classic."

Smokin' Oak has won two of his five starts, including a last-start defeat at Trentham of Savvy Coup, who subsequently beat Dijon Bleu and Contessa Vanessa in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m).

The gelding won that race on a firm surface, while his maiden victory at Waipukurau in September came in heavy going.

"He's a very versatile horse who can handle it wet and he can run some amazing times on good tracks," Bary said.

He has also been pleased with the progress of his Listed Gallagher Marton Cup (2100m) hope High Spirits since her last-start Chalmers Handicap (3200m) success.

Meanwhile, Smokin' Oak's talented stablemate King Louis will make his next appearance at Trentham on Saturday week.

"He's a big, strong horse who's doing everything right," Bary said. "He's only two, but we have to work him like a three-year-old."

King Louis finished runner-up on debut in the Wellesley Stakes (1000m) before the Equiano colt ran fifth in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m).

He has been set for the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on March 31. "That's his main goal and the 1400m will suit him," Bary said. "He's a very relaxed horse."

- NZ Racing Desk