Stanley’s ready to Leap into action during Towac Park run on Tuesday

Leap Of Legend is one of five horses Stanley will take across to the meeting, chasing the number one spot in the Trac AG CG&E Benchmark 58 Handicap (1,280 metres).

The Tale Of The Cat gelding was in his peak form through 2017 when he won back-to-back races at Grafton and finished third in a TAB Highway Handicap race at Royal Randwick.

It’s been an up and down affair since Stanley became the gelding’s fourth trainer in less than three years during September 2017 but recent starts have shown his potential.

He picked up a win at Warren then was a narrow runner-up at home the next week.

“He ran a great race last start and he led all the way at Warren. He’s a chance in that sort of race,” Stanley said.

“He didn’t do much when I first got him. It took him a while to settle in. He came to me from a spelling block at prior to that Matt Dunn had him at Murwillumbah.

“He’d get to the races and sweat really bad. He’d run his race before the race.”

Stanley set to work preparing different training arrangements for Leap Of Legend,  including extra time in the swimming pool, and it’s improved his pre-race condition.

Not only that, it’s improved his temperament in the stables.

“He doesn’t sweat anymore. I get him led around to the barriers because he can get upset easily. He’s improved a lot since he’s settled a lot,” Stanley said.

“It’s his frame of mind we have to get improve in order to get him doing his job at the races.”

Peter’s daughter Ashleigh has the ride on Leap Of Legend, as well three of Stanley’s other hopes on the day.

Paul Theobald’s Attilius, who was the horse that beat Leap Of Legend last start, also lines up in the race.

Stablemate Destiny Hasselhoff (Chelsea Ings) gives Stanley two hopes in the small field of seven.

Dungannon, Claradale Lass and recent winner The Long Run are his other hopes at Orange.

“Dugannon never runs a bad race. The Long Run I gave a first up run at Orange then I took her to Mudgee when she won and has run a couple of mid-race runs just behind the placegetters. I feel like she’s a chance,” Stanley said.

“I’m just hoping the track won’t be too hard. I’d like it a little spongy and I think everyone else would like that too, but we cant just order that.”

Dean Mirfin and Roy L McCabe add to Bathurst’s presence at the meeting, which starts from 1.40pm.

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