Photo: Race Images
Given a perfect trip by jockey Kelly Myers, Jade Dragon (3 f Time Test – Pure Lorde, by Darci Brahma) won fresh-up in the $25,000 NZB Mega Maiden Series 1150 metres on 12 February at Te Aroha.
In addition to the winning stake ($14,375), the owners won an extra $20,000 and trainer Pam Gerard received $5,000, as part of the Mega Maiden Series.
The New Zealand Bloodstock and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing initiative, supported by Entain/TAB, is available to horses purchased at Karaka, that enter for the Karaka Million Series.
The $1m in bonuses is made up of 40 $25,000 Mega Maiden Bonus races each season across New Zealand.
Having remained back after an early check when last trialling on 14 January at Matamata, Jade Dragon had shown natural precocity at the trials and drew (4) to receive an economical trip.
Beginning well to trail, Jade Dragon was clear turning for home, continued to wind up before quickening to lead at the 150m and she drew clear to win with her ears pricked.
“A nice barrier always helps and I couldn’t really fault her,” Myers said. “She jumped away really well, travelled nicely, and I was able to pull her out into clear air and she finished over the top of them.”
Commenting on the track, Myers added: “They are getting their toe into it, which I was quite happy about. It’s definitely not rock hard, so it should suit everything.”
Scoring by one and a half lengths, Jade Dragon ran 1:07.8, last 600m in 33.9, on footing soon upgraded to Good3, and she paid $17.20 & $3.90 on the NZ TAB tote.
“She showed us a lot as a two-year-old, but just blew apart when we went to the races,” Gerard said.
“We put her aside, gave her a nice, long, spell, and she came back and had a really nice trial first-up.
We gave her a very quiet trial at Matamata, and she’s gone out and done the job really well today.
“She was a bit flat when trying to wind up in the straight, but that’s understandable given her pedigree. She’s bred to go a lot further.”
Owned by Ballymore Racing NZ Ltd, M Bogoievski, D G Devonport, S P Moutter, Pegasus Bloodstock LP & Pure Time Syndicate, Jade Dragon was purchased for $60,000 at the Karaka 2023 Book 1 Sale, selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Catherine Bruggeman, and Ballymore Stables.
By Time Test, a son of the second highest rated stallion in the world, Dubawi (Dubai Millennium), who stands at Little Avondale Stud, dam Pure Lorde won three races from 1400m – 2100m and Jade Dragon is her first foal.
Pure Lorde is a half-sister to New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) winner Sentimental Miss (Reliable Man), who also finished second in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (Gr. 2, 2000m), and won the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m).
It is also the family of Spring Champion Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) winning stallion Complacent (Authorized).
The win by Jade Dragon increased the number of successes to 49 for part-owners Pure Time Syndicate, managed by Neil Bartosh.
“The syndicate has continued to expand and we’ve probably got 100 in it,” Bartosh said.
“People hear I’m doing it and come and see me and ask if they can be involved, too.
“Red Poppy was the first horse we syndicated and she won in 2015, so we’ve had a pretty good run getting to 49.”
Jade Dragon was strapped by Bhom Singh.