A return to winning form by underrated galloper Dragon Beauty capped a good day at the office for local trainer Gary Vile when she captured the Speights Ale House Handicap at Awapuni on Saturday.
While the Manawatu Hurdles and Steeplechase were the focal point of the meeting, Vile took bragging rights for the flat racing portion of the day as he produced Dragon Beauty and St. Ransom to run first and third in the open handicap event after earlier winning the second race of the day with Miss Appleton.
“She has had all sorts of problems with her back so after she disappointed in the Breeders Stakes we gave her a break and had plenty of work done on her to try and get her right again,” explained Vile.
“I was pleased with her going into the race and the three kilogram claim she received also meant she was a chance provided she got the right sort of run. Dylan (Mo) rode her brilliantly and did everything I asked him to do right to the letter.“St. Ransom was also very brave and toughed it out like he always does so it was a great result for the stable.”
Adept in all track conditions as she showed with fourth placings in both the Gr. 3 Manawatu Cup and Listed Marton Cups during the summer, Vile will now set Dragon Beauty for the Gr. 3 Winter Cup at Riccarton on the 1st of August.“We will keep her fresh and take a look at the Winter Cup with her as she will get in with a nice light weight which should make her pretty competitive,” he noted.
The Awapuni based trainer was also delighted with the win of Miss Appleton who once again showed blistering speed from the barrier to set up her fourth career victory.“She is just a delight to train and with that early brilliance she always puts herself in contention on these heavy winter tracks,” he said.
“I wasn’t worried when they tried to take her on during the running as she relaxes so well and when Leah (Hemi) asked her to go at the top of the straight she really let down superbly.“We will just keep pottering along with her through the grades for the time being although she does deserve a shot at a decent race.
“I do think she will stretch to 1400 metres as she just got beaten by Tie Me Down over that trip last summer so the Opunake Cup could be the right target for her.”The Listed Opunake Cup will be the feature event at New Plymouth on the 18th of July.
