Racing: Good times rolling on for Awapuni trainer

Rock On in Wellington. Photo / Race Images

Gary Vile is enjoying a rewarding season having posted a personal best tally on the stakes front.

"We've had five individual black type winners so it's been a really good time for us," the Awapuni trainer said.

They include the now-retired Miss Appleton (Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes), Jacksstar (Gr.3 Manawatu Cup), Rock On (Listed New Zealand St Leger), Hard Merchandize (Listed Castletown Stakes) and Slimline (Listed Manawatu Anzac 1600).

The progressive stayer Rock On has returned to the yard following a break after his Australian venture and he will be aimed toward the Gr.1 Livamol Classic, a race won by the stable with Ransomed in 2013.

"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," 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 Gr.2 Chairman's Handicap at Randwick and then ran third at Flemington.

The rising three-year-old Hard Merchandize impressed in his juvenile campaign with three wins from five starts.

"We'll probably look at the Wanganui Guineas for him and later on we'll find out whether he's just a sprinter of if he can get a mile - we're hoping he can," Vile said. Should Hard Merchandize indicate he can cope with 1600m, his main longer term target will be the Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Ellerslie.

- NZ Racing Desk