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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.

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“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. 

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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
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