Lonhro's Plague Stone Captures Lightning Handicap

Mark Smith - Saturday June 1

Godolphin's Plague Sone had looked a stakes-winner in waiting from the time he ran the top-class Written By to a half-length in the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield at his second start in February last year.

The 3yo son of Lonhro took a further six starts to achieve the feat in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate at Doomben on April 20 before running the undefeated Zoustyle to a length and a quarter over 1200 metres at Doomben a fortnight back.

Advertisement

He may have earned another shot at the Zoustar colt in next week's Daybreak Lover Stakes after Larry Cassidy guided him to a short-neck win over Tycoon Ace (Tycoon Ruler) with Amanaat (Per Incanto) three-quarter of a length away third in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Doomben. (image Racing Queensland ). 


James Cummings Stable representative Nacim Dilmi said everything pointed a top performance in the Lightning.

"His work here on Tuesday was excellent we knew then that this race was going to be right for him," Dilmi said.

"He was probably a little bit further back than we'd wanted last start and travelled too keenly, so that's why James dropped him back in distance and today he found another gear when asked the question.

"The plan is to press on through the carnival - James hasn't decided just which races he may tackle."

Larry Cassidy said he was confident the entire trip.

"It was just perfect, the speed was on he just floated through the race," he said.

"At no stage did I have to get trucking on him, he just eased into the race on his own terms and found the line.

"When the other horse came at me he noticeably lifted and got his head down, he knew where the line was."

The son of Lonhro is the third foal of the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Giggleswick a 2-time winner who ran third in the Listed Tasmanian Oaks and was fourth in the Group III South Australian Fillies Classic.

Giggleswick is out of the Sadler's Wells mare High School who is a sister to four stakes-winners most notably triple Group 1 winner and excellent sire In The Wings and the Group II Prix Greffulhe winner and Group 1 French Derby third Hunting Hawk.

After being covered by Reset, Godolphin sent Giggleswick to the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale where she was purchased by the Mongolian Khan at Windsor Park Syndicate for $50,000.

Sent to New Zealand, Giggleswick has a 2yo colt by Reset. She missed to Mongolian Khan in 2016 before being covered by the Caulfield Cup, ATC Australian Derby and NZ Derby hero again producing a filly.

Giggleswick was covered by Mongolian Falcon last spring.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Darley Blueblood Salutes
When Darley sent Group I winning Redoute’s Choice mare Anamato to the Northern Hemisphere to start her stud career, they probably had high hopes of success, but after producing one stakes-winner from four foals, she is now back in Australia and had a winner on Tuesday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Five heats for juveniles at the Rosehill trials on Monday included  some eye-catching winners including Godolphin’s Lonhro colt Beyliks, who was placed in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melbourne Racing Club Partnership Delivers Global Access for Members
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has today announced an exciting new international partnership with the UK’s leading racing operator, The Jockey Club, to provide MRC members with reciprocal access to some of the most iconic racecourses in the world. 
Nicks That Click - Two Darley Champions Combine
A powerful nick between champion Darley sires Lonhro and Exceed and Excel produced it's tenth stakes-winner on Saturday.
85th Stakes Winner for Lonhro
A bit of shrewd placing by the Godolphin team resulted in the 5-year-old Lonhro mare Soothing earning a valuable black-type win in Saturday’s Listed W H Wylie Hcp (1100m) at Morphettville.
2YO Looking Replicate Family Stakes Success
Tony Furness will head to Otaki with family history on his side when he tackles the Listed Phils Electrical and Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) with his promising juvenile Reconvene on Saturday.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Too Darn Promising
If there is one thing we have learned about the progeny of Too Darn Hot (GB) this season it is that they train on and whatever his progeny show at two they invariably improve on at three so with that thinking in mind we’ve gone looking for a few spring contenders starting with the obvious.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
Is Sponsor: True