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A winning metropolitan double by emerging stayers Dragonzone and Blazing Dragon has provided Pendragon with another string to his bow with the Sydney and Melbourne spring carnivals just around the corner.

The duo were particularly impressive with Dragonzone easily accounting for midweek company at his first try this preparation and Blazing Dragon relishing a step up in distance to race away in dominant fashion.

Dragonzone's success in the Australian Turf Club Handicap (2400m) was his second win in 10 days and reinforced the feeling from the Bart Cummings stable that the gelding is starting to frank his considerable staying ability.

The gelding, a half-brother to former Australian Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year in Faint Perfume, has long been seen as one of Pendragon's likely flag bearers but his progress has been dogged by wet tracks and cancelled race meetings.

Now the rising four-year-old shapes as one of the Hall of Fame trainer's most progressive stayers and is likely to work towards races such as the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup, an event that has trumped the arrival of progressive performers such as G1 Caulfield Cup runner Green Moon and Stratofortress in recent years.

Blazing Dragon was equally as dominant matching Dragonzone's length and a quarter winning margin when also coming with a rush. Well recognized as a filly possessing a big finish, the three-year-old revelled with a step up in distance in the Go Hire The Event People (2000m) to stamp herself a mare to watch.

"She got back and the speed of the race wasn't great for me but she really motored home," jockey Corey Brown said post race. "[Blazing Dragon] has been running well over shorter distances and she's really wanted 2000m. She got it today and won very well."

Blazing Dragon's ability to handle a staying trip will provide Cummings with a raft of options as he plans for her immediate future.

The maestro has made an art of ensuring mares maintains momentum once they hit winning form. Today's winning metropolitan double reinforces Pendragon's (pictured) emerging as an affordable source of quality stayers.

Despite opportunities being limited by the Equine Influenza outbreak of 2007 his maiden crop includes the promising Dragonzone and Blazing Dragon as well as the lightly raced Shen Long who was earmarked as a G1 Queensland Derby prospect in his maiden preparation.

The first crop trio stand alongside the sire's undefeated Hong Kong based talisman, The Peak, who will be readied for some of Asian centres better races in the new season.

While in New Zealand trainer Richard Collett has earmarked his undefeated two-year-old gelding Killarney Kid as a Derby prospect for the upcoming season.

Pendragon stands for $11,000 (inc GST) at Think Big Stud this season.

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