Kiwi four-year-old Dragon Leap (Pierro) has suffered a set-back that will curtail his Sydney spring campaign.
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding had looked in for a good preparation, having found the line well for eighth in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) , beaten just two lengths, and was on target for the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
“It’s a minor injury and certainly nothing of any note that is going to have any long-term effect on his racing career,” O’Sullivan said.
“It is a case of six weeks rest and he will be as good as gold.”
The Hong Kong-owned galloper will recuperate initially in Australia but will return to the O’Sullivan-Scott stable in Matamata.
While a decision is still to be made as to whether the horse heads to Hong Kong to continue his career, O’Sullivan said the multiple Group Two winner could become a permanent member of his team.
“We were probably more likely for him to have gone to Hong Kong if this hadn’t occurred,” O’Sullivan said.
“He’s only had six career starts, so all it’s all ahead of him. The less racing they do as young horses the longer they race for.”
Dragon Leap’s owners Hermitage Thoroughbreds appear to have another smart performer on their hands, with impressive trial winner Rocket Spade to make his debut for O’Sullivan and Scott in the near future.
“He’ll run in a maiden three-year-old 1400m race at Matamata on Wednesday week,” O’Sullivan said.
“I was hoping there would be a 1400m three-year-old race this week so we could get the show on the road.”
Meanwhile, the stable’s smart stayer Sir Charles Road holds nominations for both the Gr.3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on Friday and the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on Saturday at Randwick.
