O'Lonhro emerged as a leading contender for the Epsom Handicap with a brilliant win in the $151,800 Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. An exceptionally talented four-year-old, O'Lonhro was sent out the $2.50 favourite with bookmakers and he lived up to expectations with a highly impressive three quarter length success.In winning, the lightly raced galloper stopped the clock in 1-34.5, a new race record. Co-trainer Michael Hawkes was impressed with the performance and then announced
O'Lonhro emerged as a leading contender for the Epsom Handicap with a brilliant win in the $151,800 Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. An exceptionally talented four-year-old, O'Lonhro was sent out the $2.50 favourite with bookmakers and he lived up to expectations with a highly impressive three quarter length success.
In winning, the lightly raced galloper stopped the clock in 1-34.5, a new race record. Co-trainer Michael Hawkes was impressed with the performance and then announced plans to tackle the Epsom later this campaign.
"He's very promising," Hawkes said. "He dug deep and Jay rode the horse perfect...He eased him out and then on top of the rise when Triple Honour came at him he really dug deep like good horses do and hopefully we've got one."
Hawkes said one of the best things about O'Lonhro was very versatility. Despite starting for just the fifth time, he was proving to be a professional and adaptable performer.
Rider Jay Ford was particularly pleased with how O'Lonhro responded when he noticed Group One winner Triple Honour coming on his outside. "He really put the writing on the wall the other day in the Warwick Stakes," Ford said. "He's loaded with ability. That's probably not the way to ride him, but given the pace of the race that's where we ended up...I was fairly confident a long way out," Ford continued.