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In-form trainer Gary Vile is hoping to make an impression at Ellerslie in the New Year.

He has northern features on the programmes of three members of his Awapuni stable, the exciting youngster Hard Merchandize, the highly-regarded three-year-old Leading Role and the consistent short course performer Miss Appleton.

“The Karaka Million is the main goal for Hard Merchandize,” said Vile, who celebrated a winning hat-trick at Trentham on Saturday with Jacksstar, Leading Role and Abbey Road.

“He’ll have a run over 1100 metres here at Awapuni on December 17 and then we’ll give him a look around Ellerslie before the Million.

“He’s quite professional and he won’t have any problems going right-handed.”

Hard Merchandize won both of his trails before he made a winning debut at Otaki on November 1.

“He had three weeks off after that and he’s doing well,” Vile said. “I’ll see how he goes, but I might give him a jump-out before Awapuni.”

Meanwhile, Leading Role won Saturday’s gavelhouse.com 3YO at Trentham, a year on from his previous win in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes. His long-term goal is the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby.

Vile also had an eye on the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas, but he cut the gelding’s preparation short after he had finished fifth and fourth respectively in the Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial and the Listed Zacinto Stakes.

“He wasn’t physically ready for those other colts, he’s a slow maturing horse,” he said. “He’s a lovely type and I know he’ll stay.”

Barn mate Miss Appleton added black type to her record last time out when she finished third in the Listed Levin Stakes at Otaki.

“She does hold a nomination for the Railway Stakes and she deserves to have a go at a Group One,” Vile said. “She’s just such a genuine mare.”

Another member of the stable is Jacksstar, who produced a stout performance to win the Chalmers Premier at the weekend.

“I’ll probably back off him now and get him ready for the Wellington Cup,” Vile said.