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Dragon Leap side-lined

(Article by NZ Racing Desk) Kiwi four-year-old Dragon Leap has suffered a set-back that will curtail his Sydney spring campaign. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding had looked in for a good preparation, having found the line well for eighth in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) , beaten just two lengths, and was on target for the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). “It’s a minor injury and certainly nothing of any note that is going to have any long-term effect on his racing career...

Strong Win by El Roca Filly

(Article by NZ Racing Desk) One of the more impressive winners on the program at Matamata on Wednesday was the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly Escudo. The daughter of El Roca had been placed once as a two-year-old when splitting Yourpoint and Vernazza and showed good progression from two to three when winning the GCM Feeds (1200m) maiden in good fashion. “It was pleasing how she settled well and quickened in what looked to be an even little field,” Scott said. “The way sh...

Dragon Leap bounces through fresh up assignment

Lance O’Sullivan, who trains in partnership with Andrew Scott, was pleased with the fresh-up run of quality four-year-old Dragon Leap, who finished 8th in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.The son of Pierro was only two lengths from the winner Dreamforce and will derive plenty of benefit from the hit-out.“I was very pleased with the run and how close he finished to the winner, albeit there wasn’t a great margin first to last,” O’Sullivan said.“There is plen...

Dragon Ready to Leap the Tasman

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.“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 o...

Wexford team building with Sydney ambitions

Quality gallopers Charles Road and Dragon Leap are making good progress ahead of their spring campaigns. Lucrative Sydney targets are high on the agenda for the duo should COVID-19 immigration challenges to enable staff to travel from New Zealand to Australia be overcome. “Charles Road and Dragon Leap are both in the same boat, we’re trying to get to Australia,” O’Sullivan said. Group One performed stayer Charles Road was back in action at the Te Rapa trials last week, where he finished ...

First winner for Pure Champion

The maiden victory of the John Sadler-trained three-year-old Manhattan Spector at Ballarat on Sunday provided his Group One-winning sire Pure Champion with his first winner.Ridden by Regan Bayliss, Manhattan Spector sat outside the leader throughout and out-toughed his rivals over 1500m, having placed at his previous outing at Werribee.Pure Champion retired to Mike and Barbara Cooney’s Willow Glen Stud in Waimate in 2015 and Manhattan Spector is one of 15 foals from his first crop.A son of Foo...

Welcome back Wexford

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are preparing to welcome 25 to 30 horses back into the stable over the coming week, following the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand.  Wexford will look to gradually build from an initial winter team when training resumes on Tuesday as New Zealand comes out of a full Alert level 4 lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak. “There is a little bit of uncertainty out there, but we will bring back the horses that don’t mind getting their feet wet when they’re...

O'Sullivan looking forward to Dragon taking Leap

The Matamata stable of Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott is preparing to welcome 25 to 30 horses back into the stable over the coming week, with boom three-year-old Dragon Leap (Pierro) not far away from a return to training. If there is a silver-lining to the lockdown period, O’Sullivan believes the additional time to mature for the son of Pierro, can only make for a better horse next season. The Hermitage Thoroughbreds-raced gelding has won three of his five starts to date, inclu...

Unforgettable Cox Plates for O'Sullivan

Former champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan will never forget his first ride in the Gr.1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) and neither will racing fans throughout New Zealand and Australia. As this year’s Cox Plate trophy begins a week-long New Zealand tour (starting on Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie on Saturday), it’s certain the most discussed Cox Plate will be that 1986 edition in which O’Sullivan had to settle for second on (Our) Waverley Star, going down a neck to the mighty Bonecrusher in an all-N...

Spring Heat Delivers in King's Plate

Article by NZ Racing Desk: Lightly raced mare Spring Heat finally delivered on her undoubted promise when she produced a barnstorming finish to capture the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie. The More Than Ready five-year-old came into the race off the back of a placing at the highest level after finishing third to Avantage in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham last month. Back to the track where she had won the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) as a three-year-old, the Lance...

Dragon to Leap Lance into Derby History

Article by NZ Racing Desk:The impressive Dragon Leap gives New Zealand Racing Hall of Famer Lance O’Sullivan a great opportunity to add another notable achievement to his CV at Ellerslie on Saturday. O’Sullivan has won the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on two occasions as a jockey, first with Surfers Paradise in 1990 then three years later with Popsy. Both the two winners of the feature were trained by his father, Dave, and brother Paul, and this weekend he will attempt to win the Vodafone-...

Waddell confirmed for Dragon Leap in Derby

In-form jockey Jason Waddell has been confirmed as the rider for Dragon Leap in the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on February 29.Dragon Leap’s co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan had advised last week that Waddell had been offered the ride on the $2.20 Fixed Odds favourite for the blue riband three-year-old classic with Waddell confirming he had accepted the mount on Sunday morning.While delighted with the opportunity presented to him, Waddell admits he was left with a slightl...

Dragon Leap franks Derby credentials at Ellerslie

Anyone who thought that Dragon Leap might be below his best at Ellerslie on Saturday had those doubts well and truly extinguished when the exciting staying talent bolted away with the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Avondale Guineas (2100m).The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Pierro gelding had missed his preferred Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) lead in run when an elevated temperature on race morning saw him scratched from the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) last weekend.Plan B for his Mat...

Dragon ready to fire in Guineas

Winning Saturday's Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas isn't a critical element of Dragon Leap's campaign, according to Matamata trainer Lance O'Sullivan.O'Sullivan, who trains the rising star Pierro three-year-old in partnership with Andrew Scott, has made it clear that this month's Gr.1 $1 million Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie is the first of two big goals. But while Saturday's Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa is a stepping stone to the Derby and the Gr.1 Australian Derb...

Te Rapa Runners - 8/2

The track is currently graded as a dead 4 and rail is out 3m. JEWEL OF PATCH(Jason Waddell, barrier 7) will line up in race 2 at 1pm. He's been racing in great form, finishing second fresh up before putting in a strong effort to win last start at Wellington. He steps up in class today but we still expect him to be competitive against a strong field. VOLER POUR MOI (Taiki Yanagida, barrier 4) will line up in race 4 at 1.35pm. She has been racing well, without getting any luck. She's better than ...

SHARES AVAILABLE | Lot 1131 - Vespa - Harmonize (AUS), Colt

 Lot 1131 - Vespa – Harmonize (AUS), Chestnut Colt, purchased for $75,000 from the Valachi Downs draft.We were immediately drawn to this colt by his sheer presence. He is a very athletic type, who has a great walk. He is a big strong individual who looks like the type that could race in Hong Kong. This horse was purchased with the intent to trade at some stage.The mare bloodline is very strong, with the 1st dam being by Fastnet Rock and the 2nd dam by Zabeel.If you would li...

SHARES AVAILABLE | Lot 1059 - Per Incanto (USA) – Creil, Filly

Introducing Lot 1059 - Per Incanto (USA) – Creil, Bay Filly, purchased for $30,000 today at the Karaka Yearling Sale.We were immediately drawn to this filly's athleticism and wonderful temperament. She is from a great family, being by one of New Zealand's leading sires and out of a group 1 winning mare. We were very surprised she was not in book one and at $30,000, was great value.If you would like more information on this filly or to secure your share, please email wexford@xtra.co.nz....

SHARES AVAILABLE | Lot 748 - Trust in a Gust – Montana Hilton, Colt

There's a bit of a story here... For team Wexford, Lot 748 Trust in a Gust (AUS) – Montana Hilton (AUS) (chestnut colt) would have been the best horse in book 2, if it wasn't for a few minor faults. Guy Mulcaster, the man who purchased megastars Winx and The Autumn Sun, was ring side with Lance when this colt went through the ring. At $27,000 Guy decided that he was just too cheap to let go. Guy has taken 1/3, Lance 1/3 and so we offer the remaining 33% up for syndication. He is not a trade ho...

SHARES AVAILABLE | Lot 964 - Myboycharlie (IRE) – World Away (AUS), Filly

A classic brown filly, purchased for $67,500 at the Karaka Yearling Sales today.We were immediately drawn to this lass's pedigree page, being by the same sire as our (Sir) Charles Road and whose dam is by Pierro, the same sire as Dragon Leap.She is a big scopey sort and brilliant walker. She is an Oaks type and will make a lovely staying 3YO filly.Please contact us for more information or to secure your share. ...

SHARES AVAILABLE | Lot 720 - Showcasing (GB) – Lutry (AUS), Filly

Showcasing (GB) – Lutry (AUS), Filly$52,000 Lot 720 is by group 1 speed sire Showcasing, who is a formidable force in 2YO racing in both hemisphere's. Her Dam had 3 wins over 1200 and 1400m. She is the dam of four foals to race, three winners, inc:- Chatelard (4 wins), Fugawi (2 wins) and Henagan (4 wins in Australia). She is a strong type of filly who will get up and running early. We purchased her with the Karaka Million in mind and she has been entered for the race....

SHARES AVAILABLE | Lot 582 - Vadamos - Etosha Lass, Bay Colt

This Yearling is by the first season sire Vadamos (Fr), a Group 1 winning sire and son of breed-shaping stallion Monsun. Etosha Lass is a dam of two winners to date whose pedigree traces back to the family of Sepoy, Canny Lad and Canny Lass. A Classic type of colt who is very athletic and correct. At $125,000 + gst he was great value and a wonderful trading prospect. Please contact us for more information or to secure your share. ...

Wellington Racing Club Runners - 18/1

We're heading south to Wellington Racing Club today for NZCIS Wellington Cup Day! The track is currently graded as a dead 5 and rail is in the true position. CHA SIU BAO (Jason Waddell, barrier 3) will line up in race 4 at 2.05pm. He has been running very honest races of late, with two nice performances at Ellerslie. His form suggests he is better suited going left handed, he's drawn a nice gate and the 1400m looks ideal. SPRING HEAT (Craig Grylls, barrier 5) will line up in the Gr.1 JR & N Ber...

Matamata Runners - 7/1/2020

PERFECTIONIST (Taiki Yanagida, barrier 2) will kick off our day in race 2 at 1.37pm. She heads into today with little experience under her belt, with just the one trial to prepare. She meets a small field on her home track and has worked in a manor that suggests she could put in a cheeky race first up. ARYA STARK and PETITE ROSE will go head to head in race 3 at 2.12pm. ARYA STARK (Michael McNab, barrier 2) made a pleasing debut when second at Matamata, 18/12. She has improved with the run and g...

Dragon Leap dominates in Auckland Guineas

Talented three-year-old Dragon Leap (Pierro) stamped his Derby credentials with his winning effort in the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Wednesday. It was the second win and first stakes victory for the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding who more than made up for his last-start indiscretion when costing himself the win in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m) when racing greenly in the closing stages of the race.With the addition of blinkers, ...

Matamata Runners - 28/12

Racing on our home track at Matamata Racing Club... MISTER PRESIDENT (Troy Harris, barrier 16) will line up in the first on the card at 12.12pm. He faces a difficult task from a wide gate but looks in great order. ESCUDO (Jockey TBC, barrier 5) will line up in race 2 at 12.47pm. She put in an encouraging run first up against a strong field at Pukekohe. She's held her condition well and should give another nice account of herself. TERRACOTTA (Danielle Johnson, barrier 6) will line up in race 3 ...