Pierro's Dragon Leap Primed for G2 Foxbridge Plate

Media Release - Friday August 25

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are hoping an improved track and an impressive first-up victory will see their classy galloper Dragon Leap add the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (100m) to his record on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Dragon Leap will be one of the leading contenders in Saturday's Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.  Photo: Race Images

The O’Sullivan/Scott partnership have made a scorching start to the new season, recording four wins from just six race-day starts and their talented gelding currently leads the favouritism with Skew Wiff ($4.80) with TAB bookmakers for the feature event.

The well-travelled seven-year-old has made several trips across the Tasman over his career, and his recent three-start Queensland campaign included a close-up second in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben in May.

Returning to the partnership’s Wexford Stables in Matamata, Dragon Leap returned from a short freshen-up to produce an eye-catching victory at Ruakaka lugging the 62kg top weight, a win that locked in the Foxbridge target.

“We were really pleased to see him quicken on the good ground up at Ruakaka, he often saves one of his best runs for his fresh-up run so we were expecting him to run well and it was so pleasing to see him round off the race in the manner that he did,” co-trainer Scott said.

“He’s come through that race really well, with the three weeks between runs his body weight is only two kilos lighter than he was first-up so he’s really held his weight, and especially when they’re sprinting, you want them feeling good in their condition.

“It certainly gives us a bit of confidence to take on a race like the Foxbridge, because it is certainly quite a step up in class.

“We’ve got improving track conditions tomorrow and that certainly improves his chances, the quicker the track the better chance he’ll quicken.”

Advertisement

A stellar three-year-old, Dragon Leap claimed dominant victories in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) demonstrating his versatility, but has been lightly-raced over his career while battling with hoof issues.

Contesting the likes of Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Pier and several proven group-level performers including Darci La Bella and Brando, Scott is not underestimating the calibre of competition the son of Pierro will face.

“It’s a good field with up-and-coming horses like Pier, and tough ones like Brando, Skew Wiff and others who are on the way up who will all be primed and ready to go good races,” he said.

“But, we’ve certainly got the benefit of the run under our belt, he’s probably drawn the right gate being out a little bit and he can afford to hopefully get into the clear.

“We’re looking for a strong gallop early in the race, that gives him a good chance so hopefully the track presents well and he can quicken.

“We’re going into the race ever-so-hopeful he’s going to run well, but we’re very respectful of the class of field we meet on Saturday.” -– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Star Pierro 3YO on Track for NZ Derby
A $1,050,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Hermitage Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd / Wexford Stables / Andrew Williams Bloodstock from the Coolmore draft, exciting ro three year-old Dragon Leap was in hot form at Ellerslie on Saturday when scoring a dominant win in the Group II Jamieson Park Avondale Guineas (2100m).
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Pierro's Dragon Leap on Comeback Trail
Wexford Stables have locked in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) as Dragon Leap’s next major target following his convincing win at Ruakaka on Saturday.
Pierro's Dragon Leap Scorches Rivals in Foxbridge Plate
Punters got it spot on in the feature event at Te Rapa on Saturday, as favourite Dragon Leap defeated second elect Skew Wiff in a thrilling finish to the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m). 
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.