Jay Ford has spent the past few seasons travelling the world to ride Takeover Target but just as that door closed with the champion sprinter's retirement, another one has opened in the form of rising star O'Lonhro.The John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes-trained O'Lonhro was having just his fifth start and went one better than his second to Trusting in the Warwick Stakes with a resounding victory in the Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.Ford has been aboard O'Lonhro in all th

Jay Ford has spent the past few seasons travelling the world to ride Takeover Target but just as that door closed with the champion sprinter's retirement, another one has opened in the form of rising star O'Lonhro.

The John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes-trained O'Lonhro was having just his fifth start and went one better than his second to Trusting in the Warwick Stakes with a resounding victory in the Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Ford has been aboard O'Lonhro in all three starts this campaign and while the four-year-old has a long way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as Takeover Target, Ford does look to have found another potential star.

"I hope so," Ford said.

"His two runs in had been terrific and he's still learning.

"He'll be a lot better ridden off the speed but the way the tempo was I had to be up there today.

"He knuckled down well over the last bit, it was a tough win."

O'Lohnro opened at $2.35 and drifted to $2.60 before being backed in late to start the $2.50 favourite.

After settling second behind leader Court Command, Ford shook up O'Lonhro in the straight and he found enough to beat Miss Marielle ($17) who ran the race of her life to finish three-quarters of a length away second with another nose to Triple Honour ($7).

Michael Hawkes said the winner would be aimed at the Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 3 after passing his biggest test by winning the Chelmsford.

"Coming to the corner he eased out and Jay balanced him up then Triple Honour came at him and he dug deep like good horses do so hopefully we've got one of those," Hawkes said.

"Today was his test and he came through it great."

Court Command tired in the straight to finish fourth ahead of AJC Australian Derby winner Roman Emperor who pleased jockey Hugh Bowman with his effort to finish fifth.

"He was second-up over the mile and he'd just had enough with a hundred to go but he's on track," Bowman said.

Joe Pride was rapt with Miss Marielle's effort and said she would head towards the Hill Stakes while Vision And Power, who finished sixth, also pleased the trainer.

"The old horse didn't let down on the hard track but he's going in the right direction and I was happy with his run," Pride said.

"He will go to the George Main and we'll pray for rain."