Dragon Storm (NZ) Captures New Zealand Cup

A Karaka graduate with Cup triumphs on both sides of his pedigree has followed his parents’ example, capturing Saturday’s $250,000 Group Three Christchurch Casino 157^th New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton.

Dragon Storm (NZ) is by the Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Shocking, while his dam Prize Lady (NZ) (Prized) was a two-time winner of the Auckland Cup (3200m). Dragon Storm cost $55,000 at the 2016 Premier Sale, then was knocked down for $150,000 at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. He has now won five races and $205,575 in stakes.

The six-year-old had scored a superb five-length victory over 3000 metres at the same venue last month, and Saturday was another demonstration of his staying prowess.

Ridden by Craig Grylls for Ruakaka trainer Chris Gibbs, Dragon Storm raced in midfield before starting to creep forward from the 1000-metre mark.

He surged to the front at the top of the straight, but was quickly joined by another son of Shocking, Lincoln King (NZ). That pair drew away from the rest of the field and fought out a desperate finish, with Dragon Storm prevailing by a half-head.

“He’s a tough customer,” Grylls said. “He’s made for this type of race – he jumps okay and then relaxes so well, he hardly touches the bit.

“He came up underneath me at the top of the straight and gave a nice little kick. The second horse has come at him and made it quite close, but he was too tough.”

Gibbs trains Dragon Storm for a syndicate of local Chinese owners, headed by Alan Fu.

“Craig rode him beautifully and got him out at just the right time,” Gibbs said. “With his breeding we all know he can stay, but the beautiful big track here just suited him down to the ground. I don’t know about these nose margins though. I think my heart is going to jump out of my chest!”