Phantom Dragon (Highland Reel) kept his Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) dreams alive when he produced a compelling victory in the Maiden 3YO 1600m on Wednesday at Te Rapa.

Co-trainer Pam Gerard elected to apply blinkers and jockey Jake Bayliss gave him an economical trip and he got up for a head victory over Persauder (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle).

Phantom Dragon will now be considered for the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa next month.

“We’ll give him his chance up in distance next start, with a view to preparing for the Derby, and he’s just starting to muscle up now into a racehorse,” said Gerard, who trains the colt in partnership with Mike Moroney.

“Mike has had plenty of experience navigating a Derby path with these young horses.

“He certainly didn’t want to pull up yesterday and Jake (Bayliss) didn’t think there’d be problem with him getting a Derby trip.

“He’s got a pretty low head carriage and leans on the bridle, but that’s a staying type attribute in a way.

“He’s a big horse and we’ll do some work with him this afternoon and give him a couple of quiet days getting over the run. He’s going in the right direction.”