Trish Dunell Photography
Chris Gibbs believes the well-related colt Dragon Storm can go close to his first winning strike at Avondale on Wednesday.
The Ruakaka horseman, who trains in partnership with Donna Logan, said the three-year-old is in fine order for the Hawkesbury Race Club 1600m.
“We are expecting a very bold run from him,” Gibbs said. “He’s got a bit of blueblood and the further he goes the better.”
The son of Shocking and the two-time Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Prize Lady has the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) as his long-term mission.
“We’ve given him a bit of time and he’s a lovely colt,” Gibbs said.
Dragon Storm, who will be ridden by Opie Bosson, finished third over a mile at his Ruakaka debut earlier this month.
He will be opposed on Wednesday by stablemate Good Sunshine, who impressed jockey Cameron Lammas when they teamed up to finish a last-start fifth.
“Cameron was quite bullish about him,” Gibbs said. “The only reason there is a change of rider is that Cameron has a close association with Te Akau and they’ve got one (Madam Monica) in the race so he’s riding for them and that’s fair enough.”
To be partnered by Sam Spratt, Good Sunshine is a colt by Redoute’s Choice out of Mygoodgrace, who won a Listed Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes for Gibbs and Logan. – NZ Racing Desk.