For a stallion never supported by big numbers, Larneuk Stud's O'Lonhro continues to do the job - at Cranbourne on Thursday represented by a particularly impressive debut winner with two-year-old O'Tauto saluting at nice odds.
Taking on the odds-on Rock Tycoon, the Greg Eurell trained colt looked to
have the job ahead off a tardy start - sitting wide and looking to be under
pressure at the 600m.
But responding well to the urgings of Damien Thornton, O'Tauto began a run around the field from behind the turn and once balanced into the straight he began to charge at the favourite - putting his nose out right where it counts.
"I thought it was going to be a difficult job to run the favourite down," Eurell admitted, "so it was a big effort."
"He is a horse we have liked all the way through," he added, though hardly confident that the bay would be making a wining debut - "the ability is there but he is big, raw and green and he still needs more experience; racing will bring him on I am sure."
"I have always thought he'd be a nice horse," Damien Thornton said, "but it was a bit of a surprise to se him win today - he has lots of raw ability but he will be better at three up over a mile."
"I thought at the top of the straight he was a chance to pick the leader up," Thornton continued, "but he wanted to lay in a bit and do a few things wrong. He is going to develop into a really nice horse."
Greg Eurell has enjoyed good success with the O'Lonhro breed, describing the record breaking Chelmsford Stakes winner as "a very underrated stallion."
"I really like the O'Lonhros; they always give us a great run for our money; he really is a stallion who deserves to get more mares."
Larneuk Stud's Neville Murdoch, proud breeder and owner of O'Tauto, could not agree more.
"We just don't understand why O'Lonhro so often gets overlooked. He ticks a lot of boxes - his progeny are sound, tough, consistent performers who do not take long to come to hand and who just keep improving as they mature."
For further information on O'Lonhro who stands alongside Cluster, Honorius and Wolf Cry contact Neville Murdoch on 0418 105 706.
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