Rope Them In returns to the races at Belmont tomorrow (Saturday) and trainer Steve Wolfe hopes it’s the first step towards lofty goals this preparation.
Steve Wolfe has always had plenty of time for Rope Them In, runner-up in last year’s Fairetha Stakes (1400m) and if plans go his way, a crack at the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) is a dream target.
Rope Them In will headline Wolfe’s contingent at Belmont’s final meeting of the season when kicking off his campaign in the Drummond Golf Handicap (1200m) and he looked in fine fettle after running a slashing second to Ripcord in a 1000m trial.
The Playing God four-year-old is coming off a successful autumn and winter preparation where he finished no further back than fourth in a promising campaign that yielded three wins including the past two in succession and a second from five starts.
Wolfe said Rope Them In is a strong winning chance on resuming.
“He trialled well, but it looked good because they walked and then he zipped home pretty nicely,” Wolfe said on Tabradio.
“He’s a nice horse and the future is in the future; he looks like a top liner.
“Carrying 60kg, I don’t think that will be a problem.
“He’s going well and we can’t be happier with him.
“I don’t want to take on the top liners yet.
“If he’s good enough he’ll get his turn.
“Pie in the sky stuff the Winterbottom (1200m) will be a great race for him.
“He’ll have this run and then go to a marginally higher race in a fortnight over 1400m.
“Then we’ll get serious and work out where he’s going from there.
“He doesn’t have to improve too much from his last prep to be a top liner.”
Rope Them In, a $60,000 Magic Millions Perth Yearling, has drawn barrier seven and will be ridden by Shaun Mcgruddy.
He is the $2.75 favourite. On the second line is Vern Brockman’s unbeaten mare, Toropa, at $3.70.
“There are a couple of handy ones in it,” Wolfe said.
“The one of Vern Brockman’s is very smart.
“They don’t win five in a row wherever they are unless they’re above average.
“But, we can’t be too worried about anything.
“He’s (Rope Them In) is in good order and we look forward to him being there tomorrow.”
