The son of Woodbury Lad last raced in Oamaru in July 2012, finishing seventh behind My Late in a 1200m maiden.
He was a comfortable winner in the opening heat yesterday, finishing 1 lengths ahead of a Gallant Guru 3yr-old and Dom Benedictine in 49.60sec.
Wingatui trainer Paul Richards said an injury curtailed the gelding's career as a 3yr-old but he and owner Les Godfrey had decided to persevere with the now 5yr-old.
''He had a hairline fracture of a hind cannon bone so he was out for about 18 months,'' Richards said.
''Les has had him [working] behind the trotters for a couple of months.''
Richards pondered the options for The Vandal, but thinks a start on his own doorstep could be the best option.
''We might run him out here at Queen's Birthday Weekend - we'll just see,'' he said.
''He handles the soft going so he's in at the right time of year.''
Ri'Gah Brook will not be hurried after his half-length win in the 1000m jumpout over stablemates Southern Spirit and My Reason.
His trainer, Terry Kennedy, said a start at the early June meeting at Wingatui was the most likely option for the Volksraad gelding.
The second-placed Southern Spirit is expected to line up at Riverton on Monday after the Darci Brahma filly joined Kennedy's stables about two months ago.
Former New Zealand rugby league coach Frank Endacott is among the lessees of the 3yr-old, and they have also placed a Pentire 2yr-old with Kennedy.
Gallant Rose is almost fully recovered from a kick to her off hind leg in early March, and she was successful in the 1200m heat.
Her co-trainer Brian Anderton said the leg had settled down considerably after the injury, sustained shortly after her sixth at Cromwell on March 1.
''Her leg blew right up above the hock,'' he said.
The injury meant the 4yr-old mare missed a chance to race at Wingatui last Thursday, and he will now aim her at a 1600m maiden at Riverton on Monday.
