Dragon Leap Headed to Sydney

Media Release - Wednesday August 26

Talented Pierro four-year-old Dragon Leap will travel to Sydney on Monday as he looks to target spring riches.

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained galloper won twice at Group Two level as a three-year-old and finished fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

Dragon Leap wins the G2 Avondale Guineas

The lightly-tried gelding is expected to be best suited to a mile as an older horse and topped off his preparations with an exhibition gallop between races at Matamata last Saturday.

Advertisement

“We were happy with him,” O’Sullivan said. “It was testing conditions (heavy10) and he ran nice time considering the ground.

“He has pulled up well and we’re very pleased.”

Dragon Leap is set to commence his campaign in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 5 and could be aimed at one of Sydney’s feature mile races should he perform to expectations on Saturday week.

“If he performs well in the Tramway the Epsom (Gr.1, 1600m) would be his target,” O’Sullivan said.

“He is fairly forward. He had a quiet trial and beat a couple home, which is par for the course for him, but he is pretty forward.”

Owned in Hong Kong, the long-term future for the son of Pierro is likely in that jurisdiction, but the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) for four-year-olds is a likely target this campaign.

Stablemate Sir Charles Road is already in Sydney and will contest Saturday’s Gr.3 Premiers Cup (1900m) as he builds towards another tilt at the Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m), a race he finished third in last year.  – NZ Racing Desk

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
No Compromise Still Going Strong in NZ
Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 19
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.