Lonhro's Ranier in Heartstopping Festival Stakes Win

Mark Smith - Saturday November 30

An inspired rail hugging ride by Brenton Avdulla had supporters of Live And Free counting their money in the closing stages of Saturday’s Group III Iron Jack Festival Stakes at Rosehill when down the outside came Kathy O’Hara on Godolphin’s honest Lonhro gelding Ranier to spoil the party.

Avdulla was awkwardly placed three pairs back on the fence but when O’Hara elected to leave the fence to track in the three-wide lane down the straight, Live And Free darted along the fence to set up what looked a winning lead. But he could not hold the finish of the race hardened Ranier who was coming off a narrow defeat at Flemington on November 9.

The 4yo son of Lonhro defeated Live And Free (Savabeel) by a half-head with Cellarman (Mossman) a length and three-quarters back in third.

Godolphin’s representative Darren Beadman was not sure his charge had won.

"They call me Splinters, I was sitting on the fence," Beadman joked.

"We had our head up and it had its head down.

"It was a lovely ride by Kathy and I think where she won it was when she didn't let Testashadow cross her, she was able to roll into the race.

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"Kathy is nice and kind on the horses and they respond well for her.

"He had a light weight and she didn't have to waste for him so they're just that little bit stronger over the concluding stages."

Beadman indicated the Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on December 14 would likely be Ranier’s nest start.

It was the third stakes win for Ranier after the Group III VRC Carbine Club Stakes and Listed MRC Gothic Stakes while advancing his record to 4 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $481,120.

The good-looking son of Lonhro is the second foal of the talented Commands mare Kanzan whose three stakes wins included the Group III BRC Glenlogan Park Stakes.

A half-sister to the stakes-placed Giresun (Domesday), Kanzan has a yearling colt and a colt foal by Lonhro.

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Race Result - Iron Jack Festival Stakes Gr3 1500m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:29.46
1
Ranier
- 4g Lonhro (AUS) x Kanzan (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 53
2
0.1
Live And Free
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x Patrimonium (IRE) (Green Desert (USA))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: B Avdulla 53.5
3
1.9
Cellarman
- 6g Mossman (AUS) x Vintage Blend (AUS) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Bowman 59
Mossman
4
2.0
Invincible Gem
- 6m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Diamond Day (AUS) (Marwina (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Rachel King 59
5
3.3
Siren's Fury
- 6m Myboycharlie (IRE) x De Chorus (AUS) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Tim Clark 55
6
3.8
Bobbing
- 6g Beneteau (AUS) x My Dear (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: B J Kelly Rdr: J Innes Jnr 53
7
4.0
Renewal
- 5g Dream Ahead (USA) x Renascent (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 57.5
8
4.3
Hogmanay
- 7g Lonhro (AUS) x Hootenanny (AUS) (Best Western (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Ford 53
9
4.5
Mr Garcia
- 7g Paco Boy (IRE) x Birdie (GB) (Alhaarth (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: C Reith 55
10
8.5
Sambro
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Eau De Joie (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
11
9.8
Moss Trip
- 5m Mossman (AUS) x Space Trip (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: N Rawiller 57
12
11.3
Testashadow
- 8g Testa Rossa (AUS) x Moonlight Shadow (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Deanne Panya 53
13
11.5
Don't Give A Damn
- 6g Bon Hoffa (AUS) x Cherry Tree (AUS) (Forest Glow (USA))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: G Schofield 54
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