Matamata trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott were delighted with the efforts of their quality galloper Dragon Leap to finish runner-up in Saturday's Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) where the gelding was narrowly beaten by Surf Dancer.
It was a good performance from the multiple Group Two winner, who started from barrier 15.
Connections are now hoping to gain a start in the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 10 at Eagle Farm, where Dragon Leap is currently 45th in order of entry.
“All going well if he gets in the Stradbroke, that's where he'll go,” O'Sullivan said.
“He has been allotted 53kgs.
“I thought it was a terrific run on Saturday. It was a nice ride by Opie (Bosson) but if he drew a gate he would have won.
“He peaked on his run the last 100 yards, but he'll improve with the outing.”
O'Sullivan confirmed stablemate Waitak will take his place in this weekend's Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m), despite being well-held when 11th in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) last start.
“He'll be running this weekend in the Derby and that'll be his swansong for the season,” he said.
“He's just really over-raced the last couple. We've done a bit of work with him, and you'd like to see him settle better than what he is.
“He's had a bit of racing this season. He's been up a while and whether he's just come to the end of it we're not too sure, but this will certainly be his final throw of the dice this weekend.”