Leading Role
Race Images Palmerston North
Group One candidate Leading Role did his Vodafone New Zealand Derby hopes no harm with his last-start effort against the older horses at Tauherenikau.
The three-year-old finished fifth under Chris Johnson in the Wairarapa Cup behind the stakes winner All In Vogue.
"I was very, very happy with his run," trainer Gary Vile said. "He was beaten by some good, tough stayers and Chris was rapt and said he really put in the last bit."
Johnson is booked for the Derby ride, but commitments at Ascot Park on Saturday week will see him miss the ride on Leading Role in the Gr.2 Retina Specialists Avondale Guineas.
"It's the Southland Guineas and the Invercargill Gold Cup and Chris has got a full book there," Vile said. "That's fair enough, we don't expect him to go north for one ride."
The three-year-old finished fifth under Chris Johnson in the Wairarapa Cup behind the stakes winner All In Vogue.
"I was very, very happy with his run," trainer Gary Vile said. "He was beaten by some good, tough stayers and Chris was rapt and said he really put in the last bit."
Johnson is booked for the Derby ride, but commitments at Ascot Park on Saturday week will see him miss the ride on Leading Role in the Gr.2 Retina Specialists Avondale Guineas.
"It's the Southland Guineas and the Invercargill Gold Cup and Chris has got a full book there," Vile said. "That's fair enough, we don't expect him to go north for one ride."