Kiwi Dragon Leap building into the TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival

By Jordan Gerrans 

Kiwi superstar Melody Belle has been the galloper from across the ditch that has created all the headlines in the early stages of the TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

However, once the 10 exciting Saturdays of the 2021 carnival are wrapped up, it might just be another New Zealander that everyone in the Sunshine State is talking about.

Exciting four-year-old Dragon Leap, who was one of the favourites in the Group 1 NZ Derby last year, had a quiet return to racing on Tuesday at Doomben, trialing over 1000 metres.

The dual Group 2 winner across the ditch is on the comeback trail after suffering a fetlock injury in Sydney last year, his only Australian run so far in his career in the 1400-metre Group 2 Tramway Stakes at Randwick.

He is set to kick-off his Sunshine State campaign in the Group 3 BRC Sprint next Saturday at Doomben with an eye to the $1.5 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

“He would have to perform well in the Sprint to get into the Stradbroke,” co-trainer of Dragon Leap Lance O’Sullivan said.

“We are optimistic and hopeful, he has got to a good level in New Zealand.”

Dragon Leap’s trial on Tuesday was nothing special, but following his injury last year, his co-trainers’, O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, were just glad to see him get around unscathed and pull up well afterwards.

He ran just over a length and a half behind trial winner Fasano.

In the saddle on Tuesday was Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Michael Rodd (pictured) and he was impressed with the emerging Kiwi, who is four wins from eight starts in his young career so far.

“He is a really nice horse,” Rodd said.

“He is here to try and get into a Stradbroke; if he did get in, he would not get my weight to ride him.

“Hopefully I can win one with him on the way through before the Stradbroke if he does get in.

“He trialled really well on Tuesday, he is a really nice horse, he has good form from over there and Lance is really excited about him.”

Co-trainer Scott says the BRC Sprint over 1350 metres next Saturday at Doomben will guide the lightly-raced Kiwi’s campaign.

When informed of the heavy rain Queensland received on Tuesday evening, Scott was a little concerned for Dragon Leap, but is hopeful of sunshine over the next week.

“We will kick him off there, we are hoping for some good weather because he quickens well on good ground,” Scott said.

“He gave a fetlock a wee wrench in the spring and we have given him a long lay-off and we have brought him back up really quietly.

“We have been encouraged with the way he trialled, in the manner that he did.

“Next Saturday will guide us for what path we will take over the next month, it was encouraging to see him show some good enthusiasm on Tuesday and pull up with high levels of fitness.

“It is a good kick-off point, the trial, and hopefully he is just going to improve.”

The O’Sullivan and Scott team also have Spring Heat in Australia for the TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, set to be first-up into the Listed Bright Shadow this Saturday at Doomben.

One of either O’Sullivan or Scott are hopeful of making the trip across to Brisbane in the coming weeks, with a travelling foreman currently looking after the small team of gallopers in Australia.

Kiwi superstar Melody Belle is set to have her final race start in the Doomben Cup next Saturday.

She has recorded Queensland winter success earlier in her career, claiming the Group 2 Sires' Produce Stakes in 2017. 

Fellow New Zealand gallopers Not An Option, Embers, Lebanese Trader and Tutukaka - all for Tony Pike - are also expected in Queensland for the Carnival.

Kiwi's have had luck in Queensland over the years with The Bostonian winning two Group 1s in 2019. 

Click here for full details on the 2021 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival feature races.