Grunt Gelding Dragoon Opens Winning Account at the Valley

Mark Smith - Friday February 16

After placing in three of his six starts, the Grunt gelding Dragoon broke his maiden over 1600m at Moonee Valley on Friday.

Dragoon rounds up million-dollar colt Limburg (image George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Daniel Moor for Greg Eurell, Dragoon sat on the speed set by the royally bred favourite Limburg (Justify), and the pair settled down to a stirring dual. Dragoon defeated Limburg by a head with the Pierro gelding Ceremonious close-up in third in an all-3-year-old finish.

Advertisement

“He deserved that; he has been ultra-consistent,” Greg Eurell said.

“We are getting to the end of the prep. One of the owners asked if there were any runs left in him. I said that I didn’t think so; this may be his last, so thankfully, he got the job done.

“I think he will improve after a spell as he is quite progressive, and I love his consistency over a long preparation.

“He has a strong constitution, and as a 4-year-old, he will be a nice horse.”

A $150,000 purchase for Greg Eurell / All Winners / Golden River from the Golden Grove draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Dragoon is the third winner from four to race for the Darley-bred Commands mare Prose.

A half-sister to Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks heroine Colette and Listed MRC Chairman's Stakes winner Metastasio, Prose died in 2022, and Dragoon is her final foal.

Dragoon a $150,000 Inglis Classic yearling

Bred by Thoroughbred Partners,Dragoon is the 14th winner of the season for Yulong Stud’s Grunt, a top five second-season stallion riding high through the deeds of Veight and Miraval Rose. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Alinta Energy Mdn Plate 1600m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(4) Time: 1:37.73
1
Dragoon
- 3g Grunt (NZ) x Prose (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: D Moor 59
2
0.2
Limburg
- 3g Justify (USA) x Maastricht (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jordan Childs 59
3
0.7
Ceremonious
- 3g Pierro (AUS) x Save The Date (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Damian Lane 59
4
2
Princess Pia
- 3f Maurice (JPN) x Defender (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 57
5
2.7
Testing The Cugat
- 5g King Cugat (USA) x Testthebudget (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: Heath Maclean Rdr: Hannah Le Blanc 59.5
6
4
Shades Of Sheriff
- 4g Ready For Victory (AUS) x Shades Of Julie (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: C J Davis Rdr: Zac Spain 59.5
7
6
Undisturbed
- 6g Anacheeva (AUS) x Wildcat Strike (AUS) (Hold That Tiger (USA))
Tnr: Ms W Church Rdr: John Allen 59.5
8
6.7
Chocolate Royal
- 3g Dandino (GB) x Star Of Persia (AUS) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rdr: J Noonan 59
9
8.2
Sconaero
- 5g Tarzino (NZ) x Galaktika (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: R J Linnell Rdr: Sheridan Clarke 59.5
10
9.5
Sheza Snake
- 6m Redente (AUS) x She's Just Ace (AUS) (El Moxie (USA))
Tnr: C J Davis Rdr: Laura Lafferty 57.5
11
12
Largenincharge
- 6g Sidestep (AUS) x Willingani (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: F Stockdale Rdr: Jake Molloy 59.5
More Reading...
Super Seth 3YO Salutes for Baker
A tenacious front-running performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill added a first city victory to Puntin’s burgeoning record.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.