3 minute read

Gary Vile deflected a lot of the credit for Slimline’s upset victory in their hometown feature on Tuesday.

The Awapuni trainer produced the Castledale mare for an upset win and her first black type success in the Listed Manawatu ITM Anzac 1550.

“This is special with all my family and friends here and I have to thank Danielle Johnson – she rode the horse back last time and came around the field.

“I thought we’d try that again and now the mare has got black type.”

With Johnson riding at Avondale, Slimline was handled by Robert Hannam and they settled at the back of the field before circling runners across the top. The mare held a strong gallop in the run home to score at odds of 17-1.

Slimline had given an indication before the race of her well-being by bucking and kicking out in the back parade ring. “I was hoping that was a good sign,” Vile said.

The five-year-old has now won four times and she is unbeaten this preparation after her first-up victory under Johnson earlier this month.

The well-fancied Beefeater gave a good account of himself in finishing second after trainer Roydon Bergerson had voiced pre-race concerns about the Alamosa gelding coping with the slow ground.

“On a better track I’d have put the house on him,” he said.

Bronsteel finished third after hitting the front 200 halfway down the straight with Tessastock fourth after she made her move 800 metres from home.