Leonard Bale Lands Time Honoured Waterloo Cup

THE Manukau Stadium sure has turned into a happy and successful group race hunting ground for Canterbury conditioner Craig Roberts. 

His latest training triumph at the Auckland headquarters track came courtesy of the stylish victory that Leonard Bale secured in Sunday's running of the historic $30,000 Waterloo Cup.

Roberts has previously mentored all of the Manukau group one race winners with Sunday's win being his third Waterloo Cup, an event that dates back to 1878, success this century.

Leonard Bale drew nicely in the one trap for his latest black type assignment which was also his track debut outing. 

He placed himself just in behind the early pace, stalked the pacemaker down the back straight, assumed control of the 527m event on the home turn, then he held on gamely for his 30.49s win.

Lisa Cole provided the minor place getters with Big Time Harley storming home late for second half a length astern, while the pace setting race favourite Bigtime Cooper battled away soundly another length and a half behind for third.

"Bloody rapt. That was a massive effort by Leonard when considering it was his first race on the Manukau track. He got slightly lost towards the end the back straight then he regained his bearings turning for home. 

"I wasn't sure if he had enough of a buffer to hold out the strong finishers – he did as he's such a tenacious chaser. He kept on kicking," said Roberts about the Jan Wheeler owned son of Fernando Bale and Folio Bale.

Leonard Bale has been in outstanding form, recently annexing the NZ National Sprint final, followed by his NZ Derby win backed up by a second in the Wanganui Cup, the last two being at the elite level of racing.

"Geez, he's done plenty of travelling lately – two trips to Cambridge and Wanganui and now Auckland. He's a sensational traveler.

"Leonard can have a week off, then he'll begin his New Zealand Cup campaign," confirmed Roberts who added "he won't know himself traveling just down the road to Addington three weeks in a row."

Roberts also confirmed that Leonard Bale won't be taking up either of his Melbourne Cup heat exemptions which he earned via his NZ National Sprint and Waterloo Cup wins.

"Logistically its too hard a trip to organize owing to Covid-19 travel restrictions. It's a nightmare heading to Melbourne and he would only go if I can go, which obviously I can't." 

"Leonard is a delight to have in the kennels – he's cool, calm and collected, while also a tough fella. He's an absolute cracker to handle," advised Roberts about his charge who has now won 12 of his 22 race days starts (seven minors), adding up to $77,492 is stake earnings.