Wexford Stables’ well-performed pair of Waitak and Dragon Leap are progressing well towards new season targets.
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained duo furthered their preparations with quiet trials over 800m on a heavy track at Avondale on Tuesday.
“Most likely, they will both go straight into the Foxbridge Plate (Group 2, 1200m) and they will also go to Hastings for the Tarzino Trophy (Group 1, 1400m),” Scott said.
The stable is undecided whether they will return three weeks later for the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) on the second day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival on September 28.
“Whether they want to run any further than the Tarzino is another thing,” Scott said.
Waitak was partnered at the trials by Masa Hashizume, while Craig Grylls was aboard Dragon Leap, and they finished at the back of the field, but neither was asked to go through their gears.
“They have both been out for a wee while and it was over a short trip in testing ground so we made sure they had an easy time and they will pull up well,” Scott said.
“They handled it well and both horses are certainly going the right way.
“We took advantage of the grass trials and it was all about getting them out and about for the day.”
The open heat was won by Clinton Isdale’s Group-performed Beebeep from talented Te Akau three-year-olds Trobriand and What You Wish For.
Scott said both Waitaki and Dragon Leap had made good progress since returning from breaks.
“With the fine, frosty weather, we’ve had good tracks at home and their fitness levels have got quite advanced,” he said.
“Both horses trialled very well for where they are at, they just had a canter around and they will trial again on August 6 (at Te Rapa).”
Waitak was a dashing winner of the Group 1 Railway (1200m) earlier this year and hasn’t raced since his autumn trip to Perth for the $5 million The Quokka.
He was unplaced in the Ascot feature, but only finished 3.3 lengths off the winner Overpass and was rewarded with $175,000 for his effort.
Dragon Leap went close to the Foxbridge-Tarzino double last year after he won the Te Rapa feature and then finished runner-up at Hastings.
Waitaki is currently the joint +400 favourite with horse racing bookmakers for the Foxbridge with Dragon Leap on the second line at +600 and they are respectively at +1300 and +1500 in the early Tarzino market.
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