Multiple Group winner progressing well
Dragon Leap is on target to resume at Ruakaka next month before he chases further black-type titles.
The multiple Group-winning son of Pierro delighted connections this week with his effort for fourth in a 950m trial under jockey Craig Grylls on the synthetic track at Cambridge.
“The team was incredibly pleased with him and Craig came in and gave him a glowing report. He pulled up really sound, which was great as we have had our challenges with him with his feet,” co-trainer Andrew Scott said.
“We believe that is all behind him now and that would possibly be one of his best trials. We understand that it was only a trial and we’re a long way away from where we want to be.
“It was so encouraging though and we have high hopes that he is going to have a successful season.”
Dragon Leap hasn’t raced since January when he finished fourth in the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and will return to racing in an 1100m handicap at Ruakaka on August 6.
“We are hoping to get a couple of runs into him before he heads to Hastings. We just want to get a racing preparation into him, his campaigns have been marred by viruses and injuries so we want to get some regular racing into him,” Scott said.
“Since he was a three-year-old it has been so far from that.”
Dragon Leap won three races during his classic season, including the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) and the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (1600m) and finished fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
Subsequent issues have since restricted him to just four further appearances.
Waihaha Falls looking for hat-trick at Randwick
New Zealand-bred gelding Waihaha Falls will be vying for his third win on-end when he lines up over 1300m at Randwick on Saturday.
The Waikato Stud-bred and raced four-year-old has won both of his starts this preparation over 1200m at Randwick, doubling his career win tally in the process.
Trainer John O’Shea has been pleased with the progress shown by the son of Sacred Falls.
“We have always thought quite highly of him,” O’Shea told RacingHQ.
“He didn’t used to spell well, he would come in a bit light and wooly.
“We have just changed a few things up in that area and as a result he has come in a lot healthier and it is reflected in how he has performed.”
O’Shea said he targeted Waihaha Falls towards winter racing due to his liking for rain-affected tracks.
“We had a view the he would be effective over winter because he loves wet ground. He probably exceeded expectations in that sense,” O’Shea said.
“I thought as a young horse he would be more a miler and it is pretty evident now that he is a bit too brilliant to be a miler. We will train him to spring and I think that has also helped him.”