Dragon Lair (NZ) will be given every chance to qualify for the $1 million Karaka Million in January.

Trained by Danica Guy for Dr Tan of Singapore, he won on debut in the Colleen Mangnall Prestige Real Estate (880m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.  It’s early days, but the colt is third on the Order of Entry for the Karaka Million.

Dragon Lair (2c Iffraaj – Foxy Blonde by Volksraad) stalked the leaders and the pounced to the lead at the furlong to score by over a length.  He cost $80,000 at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale from Haunui Farm.

Dr Tan targeted the 2013 Karaka Million with Gobi Ranger (Tale of the Cat).  He went into the race on the back of a Group 3 victory in the Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie.  After beginning awkwardly and racing wide, the favourite finished seventh.

Not to be deterred, Dr Tan bought another four horses at Karaka the following week.  “I have been coming to New Zealand for a number of years now for the Karaka Sales,” Tan said.  “I have always found the Sale to be very good and, on top of that, the weather at that time of the year is so beautiful.

“We were fortunate to have Gobi Ranger last year and we have one or two other good ones in New Zealand as well.  Hopefully, Dragon Lair will get us to the Karaka Million again.”

Besides Dragon Lair, Tan also purchased a High Chaparral – Suppose for $220,000 from Hallmark Stud and a Bel Esprit – Star Jasmine for $250,000 from Pencarrow Stud.

Bred by Mrs Vicki Vandorp, Dragon Lair is out of the stakes winning mare Foxy Blonde (Volksraad) who has had five to race for five winners.