A Dragon For Joe winning in Launceston last season. Photo by Stacey Lear
A Dragon For Joe will get his chance to bounce back into the winner’s circle after a run of encouraging efforts when he lines up in the Ladbrokes Quick Multi Stakes (2200m) at Launceston’s Ladbrokes Racing Centre Mowbray, on Sunday afternoon.
The three-year-old gelded son of Fear The Dragon recorded his only win in the $20,000 Keith Stanley Debutante at his second race start in April 2025.
After a couple of disappointing efforts late in his two-year-old season, A Dragon For Joe has gradually worked his way back into form this preparation, with trainer Brett Jaffray believing the pacer is getting back to his best.
“He took a while to get back to where he should have been, but his last few runs have been good. Hopefully he’s ready to win,” he said.
Jaffray said a significant hoof issue was behind the pacer’s disappointing form late last season.
“He ripped a bit off his foot, like a big quarter crack. We put a bar shoe on and gave him a couple of runs, but in the end we turned him out again and let it grow out.
“He took a few runs (this preparation) to get back to where he was,” the trainer said.
A Dragon For Joe has been runner-up in two of his past three. He finished fifth at the other start, on 1 August, where there were excuses.
“He dragged a puncture for about 600 metres after he got hit from behind, and the tube got wrapped around the wheel and all that, and he still kept coming.
Jaffray said he will leave the tactics up to driver Gareth Rattray on Sunday afternoon, when they will start from barrier three.
“It’s a good draw. He hasn’t had that many good draws, so we might come out a bit harder Sunday and see where we end up.
“He’s driven over 1600 winners. He knows. I just tell him if the horse has any habits, good or bad. We don’t give him any instructions,” said Jaffray.
Beyond Sunday, A Dragon For Joe will continue his preparation towards the Globe Derby Stakes later in the year, although Jaffray is considering giving him a brief freshen-up beforehand.
“He might have a little mini-break just before that. It’s been a long time getting him right again, so I just don’t want to turn him out for a long break,” he said.
Sunday’s nine-race program commences with a Two-Year-Old Maiden at 12:40 pm.
