Four runners, three winners including a metropolitan double made for a very successful Sunday enjoyed by Larneuk Stud's consistent and undervalued stallion O'Lonhro.
Kicking off his big day at Caulfield was the tough Cindy Alderson trained
O'Lonera who showed plenty of heart when recording his fourth win at the track
and his sixth overall.|
A home-bred for Lynne Alderson, O'Lonera has done a great job amassing over $460,000
in stakes, proving himself one of Victoria's most reliable middle distance
gallopers.
Hitting the lead early, O'Lonera was strongly challenged over the final
stages of the 2000m handicap but just kept fighting.
"I was happy with how he was travelling," reported in-form
jockey Stephanie Thornton who was riding the five-year-old for the first time,
"and when a horse came up to him he really dug deep."
Boasting an interesting pedigree, O'Lonera - a grandson of the Caulfield
Cup winner Imposera - is a descendant of the acclaimed matriarch Chelandry as
is O'Lonhro - and his dam sire Zoffany.
Three races later and it was Mamzelle Tess' turn to shine, the
consistent bay not having the best of runs from the outside gate but still
proving too strong for her rivals in an 1100m BM84 contest.
Eased back after a fast beginning, the Leon & Troy Corstens trained
five-year-old was spotting the leaders several lengths after swinging widest
into the straight but she was able to sustain a strong run to the line, putting
her nose out where it counted.
"I thought at the top of the straight that she'd be lucky to run a
place," Leon Corstens admitted, "and I am still quite sure how she
got there!"
"I thought the track would be a bit firm for her but she is going
so well, she is definitely a stronger horse this time in."
A mare who just does not know how to run a bad race, Mamzelle Tess has
won six races with a further six placings to her credit from 21 starts, winning
over $170,000 for her happy connections including her breeders the Naismith
family.
In the first three at each of her last nine starts, Mamzelle Tess has
been a good horse for Jye McNeil who has won four races on her
"We have a good partnership," he said, adding that she was
"very tough in the straight."
Proving to be a reliable source of winners for owner/breeders, the
record-breaking Group Two winner O'Lonhro also had his dual city winning son
O'Lordy finish a gallant second at Randwick on Saturday whist Moving On Up and
Lonruse have impressed recently breaking their maidens.
"O'Lonhro's progeny are know for their toughness, soundness and
consistency," said Larneuk Stud's Neville Murdoch, "and he is
certainly a stallion who deserves greater support."
And the same goes for Group One Randwick Guineas winner Ilovethiscity
who has also been enjoying a good run - also represented by a nice winner on
Sunday with the Ryan Balfour trained Bris Vegas putting 2 1/4 lengths on his
rivals at Gawler.
Working to get to the lead, the promising three-year-old shot clear from
the 200m, impressing his trainer who thinks that the best is still to come.
"The best part of the race was seeing him put them away so easily. I have
got a good opinion of this horse, I think he is a horse to follow."
Despite never serving large books, Ilovethiscity has been doing a great
job with such talented gallopers as Chapel City, Plenty To Like, Moonlover,
Vivaldi's Quest and City Of Dreams proving good representatives of the always
consistent Zeditave sire line.
Whilst Ilovethiscity's sire Magic Albert throughout his career
maintained a high winners-to-runners strike in excess of 67%, his grandsire
Zeditave was also known for his ability to upgrade his mares with an
outstanding 70.8% strike rate.
For further information on O'Lonhro and Ilovethiscity who stand
alongside exciting youngsters Wolf Cry, Cluster and Honorius, contact Neville
Murdoch on 0418 105 706 or visit www.larneuk.comand www.facebook.com/pages/Larneuk-Stud/455896497806590
