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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 ...

Arawa Park Runners - 27/12

Racing at Arawa Park - Rotorua Racecourse today... HIBERNIA SEA (pictured) (Danielle Johnson, barrier 8) will line up in race 4 at 2.12pm. Forget about her last run! Her work has been very encouraging and if she races up to how she's worked, she'll be very competitive. PATCH MAN (Jason Waddell, barrier 3) will line up in race 7 at 3.57pm. He has drawn to get a nice trip. He was slightly disappointing last start, however we're hoping he can turn his form around today. IPATCH (Taiki Yanagida, ba...

Ellerslie Boxing Day Runners

We're heading to one of our favourite racedays on the calendar today - Boxing Day races at Ellerslie! CHA SIU BAO (Mick Dee, barrier 9) will line up in race 3 at 1.40pm. His fresh up run at Ellerslie 30/11 was pleasing when 4th. He has worked well heading into today, looks forward and we're expecting a bold run. We think he's a nice E/W chance. AERO DE PARIS (Craig Grylls, barrier 4) will line up in race 5 at 2.53pm. He has been racing in great form and we're expecting another competitive perf...

Matamata Runners - 17/12

MISTER PRESIDENT (Sam Spratt, barrier 16) will kick off our day in the first on the card, set to run at 2.55pm. He will need luck from the wide barrier but his work has been encouraging heading into today. ANNALONE (Ryoya Kozaki, barrier 8) will go head to head with Mister President in race 1. She was well beaten both starts when first tried. She has been freshened and has had one trial to prepare for today. IPATCH (Ryoya Kozaki, barrier 7) is an unlikely runner. ARYA STARK (Craig Grylls, bar...

Ellerslie Runners - 15/12

PATCH PRINCE (Sam Spratt, barrier 7) is our sole runner at Ellerslie on Sunday, lining up in race 2 at 2.55pm. He is a horse who has shown a lot of ability at home on the track but is yet to put things together come raceday. He put in an improved effort when second at Rotorua last start. He is still learning his trade but should put in another tidy performance. ...

Te Rapa & Awapuni Runners - 14/12

JEWEL OF PATCH (Taiki Yanagida, barrier 4) will kick off our day at Te Rapa in race 1 at 12.15pm. He has returned from Hong Kong, where he did not race. Although he has been away from the races with sometime, he has had one trial to prepare for tomorrow and will not lack fitness for his first up assignment. We see him as a nice E/W chance. AMANO (pictured) (Ryan Elliot, barrier 6) will line up in race 3 at Awapuni. He has also been away from the races for sometime. He trailed well at Tauranga, 2...

Matamata Runners - 6/12

A big day of racing ahead on our home track at Matamata Racing Club! PATCH MAN (Ryoya Kozaki, barrier 13) will line up in race 2 at 12.52pm. His last start was very good, when narrowly beaten at Tauranga, 6/10. He races well on his home track and has worked well heading today. Despite the wide draw, he should be hitting the line hard. HIBERNIA SEA (Craig Grylls, barrier 10) will also line up in race 2. We were happy with her debut performance at Te Aroha, 30/10 and she will be much better for t...

Counties Runners - 4/12

AERO DE PARIS and AUTUMN WILD are Wexford's sole representatives at Counties tomorrow, lining up in the first race on the card at 3.14pm. The track is currently graded as a slow 7 and rail is out 4m. AERO DE PARIS (pictured) (Craig Grylls, barrier 7) put in a nice effort to win last start at Avondale, 18/10. He looks bright and well heading into tomorrow and any rain will only aid his chances. AUTUMN WILD (Ryoya Kozaki, barrier 4) ran a nice third last start at Rotorua, 19/10. She hasn't had a...