What The Dragon returns after year on sidelines

After more than a year away from the races, What The Dragon is back.

Last year the What The Hill gelding created quite an impression, winning four times in five races for trainer-driver Kyle Cameron. His last win was in the Winter Rewards at Addington last July.

It was all looking so promising for a trotter he bought for $15,000 at the 2022 National Yearling sales in Christchurch.

But just when Cameron thought the “penny had dropped” injury struck.

“He did a suspensory ligament in behind,” says Cameron, “he got a tear just as he was warming down during trackwork – it was innocuous slow work.”

And so began the long road back, with Cameron trying to get the balance right between getting his Rating 53 trotter fit enough to be competitive but not compromising his recovery.

So far What The Dragon has been back to the trials on three occasions. In the latest he was an all-the-way winner at Rangiora on August 19, shading a fast-finishing Mighty Logan. His last 800 was in 59.0.

Cameron says he’s “happy enough” with What The Dragon but cautious.

“I’m not confident but we need to put a line in the sand and see where he’s at.”

Starting off 10m, What The Dragon ($6.50) takes on a strong line-up in the Hamptons ITM / Westlake ITM Handicap Trot (6.54pm) that includes the Paul Nairn-trained duo of Luvavici ($4.80) and Kawatiri Trev as well as Major Cyclone ($8).

Friday will tell Cameron a lot about where What The Dragon is at, and what his future targets may be, but in the meantime he says “it’s nice to be back”.

To see Friday’s field click here

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk