Leading Role Takes Centre Stage in G2 Challenge Stakes

Two-Year-Old Leading Role (NZ) (Darci Brahma) broke his maiden in style with success in the Group 2 $100,000 Vision Enhancement – Audio Visual Specialists Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Leading Role (NZ) wins the Group 2 Vision Enhancement - Audio Visual Specialists Wakefield Challenge Stakes. Photo courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North.

Leading Role had just one start under his belt before Saturday’s win, racing greenly but running on into seventh place eight days ago at Levin over 1000m for trainer Gary Vile.

“He has always shown a lot of promise,” commented Vile. “He has had a few problems in the barriers with being slow away but he jumped well on Saturday.

“He will go out for a short spell now and then will aim him towards the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes.”

Commencing from barrier 1 among the six-horse field for jockey Chris Johnson, Leading Role settled on the rail behind Cavallucci (NZ) (Showcasing) who travelled in second position with Dontpokethetiger (Beneteau) leading wide on the track. Ranging up with an inside run, Leading Role sprinted passed the leaders inside 100m to win by a long neck over Cavallucci and Dontpokethetiger in second and third places respectively.

Saturday’s victory has given his winnings a healthy boost having banked $62,500 for connections J King, J Aldrich, Gary Vile, D Gilshnan, A Vincent J MacDonald, D Drummond, A MacDonald and A Osborne.

Vile purchased Leading Role at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2015 Karaka Select Sale for $28,000 from Longlands Stud.

“It was his presence that stood out to me when I purchased him at Karaka earlier this year. He has a terrific walk and he went for a good price,” added Vile.

Bred by Tony, Wayne and Vicki Pike, the son of Darci Brahma is out of winning mare Screen Siren (Montjeu), a half-sister to stakes placegetter Valse des Fleurs (Stravinsky) and the dam of stakes winner Boom ‘N’ Zoom (Dash for Cash).