A New Zealand Cup winner, by a Melbourne Cup winner, out of a dual Auckland Cup winner, who is a daughter of a three-time winner at the highest level in America, what’s not to like about Dragon Storm at two miles.
After three poor performances since arriving in Australia, the Mike Moroney-trained son of Shocking was on his last chance in Saturday’s Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) before a one-way ticket back to New Zealand.
Ridden by Blaike McDougall, Dragon Storm denied the Matthew Smith-trained favourite Marvel by a short-half-head with his stablemate Sweet Thomas (Dylan Thomas) a length and a half away in third.
The winner of last year’s Group III New Zealand Cup, Dragon Storm advances his record to six two two from 29 starts with earnings of $306,469.
“The owners, after today if he didn’t do anything, were going to take him back to New Zealand, but on that now they may stay here and have a crack at something like (the Bagot),” Maroney said.
“I saw him going easily, but not getting any luck at all. Then he switched to the outer - it was a good effort.
McDougall said he was confident of an improved performance at the distance.
“He’s proven at the trip obviously in New Zealand. He pulled a bit going to the gates,” McDougall said.
“I was given an open book which is great by Mike. I put him to sleep off a very moderate tempo but nearly left my run a bit too late.”
A $55,000 Karaka yearling, Dragon Storm made $150,000 to the bid of Kylin Horse Group from the Mana park draft at the 2016 NZB Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs.
Bred by Joe Wallis, Dragon Storm is the best of three winners from four to race out of the dual Group 1 Auckland Cup winner and New Zealand Oaks runner-up Prized Lady (Prized).
Prize Lady is a daughter of the top-class mare Pen Bal lady whose eight wins included the Santa Barbara H., Gamely H., and Santa Ana H.
Stuart Hale & Co bought a sister to Dragon Storm for $35,000 from the Wentwood Grange draft at the 2021 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.
