Dragon Leap is on target to resume at Ruakaka next month before he chases further black-type titles.
The multiple Group-winning son of Pierro delighted connections this week with his effort for fourth in a 950m trial under jockey Craig Grylls on the synthetic track at Cambridge.
“The team was incredibly pleased with him and Craig came in and gave him a glowing report. He pulled up really sound, which was great as we have had our challenges with him with his feet,” co-trainer Andrew Scott said.
“We believe that is all behind him now and that would possibly be one of his best trials. We understand that it was only a trial and we’re a long way away from where we want to be.
“It was so encouraging though and we have high hopes that he is going to have a successful season.”
Dragon Leap hasn’t raced since January when he finished fourth in the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and will return to racing in an 1100m handicap at Ruakaka on August 6.
“We are hoping to get a couple of runs into him before he heads to Hastings. We just want to get a racing preparation into him, his campaigns have been marred by viruses and injuries so we want to get some regular racing into him,” Scott said.
“Since he was a three-year-old it has been so far from that.”
Dragon Leap won three races during his classic season, including the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) and the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (1600m) and finished fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
Subsequent issues have since restricted him to just four further appearances.
