The progeny of former champion Lonhro continue to provide the Darley team with plenty to smile about, with Offhanded giving his rivals a galloping lesson at Canterbury on Wednesday.The Peter Snowden-trained Offhanded won the opening race of the day, the Freeway Hotel Artarmon Hcp (1200m), by a massive 5-1/2 lengths from Code Word with King Of Love 1-1/2 lengths away third.But the race didn't pan out so well for Lonhro's former owners the Ingham family whose runner Speedskater finished nearly 15-
The progeny of former champion Lonhro continue to provide the Darley team with plenty to smile about, with Offhanded giving his rivals a galloping lesson at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Peter Snowden-trained Offhanded won the opening race of the day, the Freeway Hotel Artarmon Hcp (1200m), by a massive 5-1/2 lengths from Code Word with King Of Love 1-1/2 lengths away third.
But the race didn't pan out so well for Lonhro's former owners the Ingham family whose runner Speedskater finished nearly 15-3/4 lengths last carrying the cerise colours worn with such distinction by the champion.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman, Offhanded began well from his wide alley and led on settling.
Rounding the turn the colt looked comfortable and kicked strongly, rattling home in strong fashion on the slow seven track with the race run in light rain.
Snowden was a long-time employee of the Ingham family who sold their thoroughbred racing and breeding empire to Sheikh Mohammed's Darley for a reported $500 million.
The Warwick Farm trainer said it was always special when Lonhro's progeny win.
"I won't deny it, it gives me a buzz," Snowden said.
"There's not many of them (Lonhros) who don't show something."
Offhanded started the $5 equal favourite with the unplaced Hexagon and was having his second start after running third on debut at Sale on April 30.
"The team in Melbourne deserves the credit for this, it was Paul's (son Paul Snowden) idea to put the blinkers on him because he did a few things wrong in his debut and they worked nicely today," Snowden said.
"He's a very sound horse and we'll look for a Saturday race in Sydney."
Bowman was very impressed with the colt.
"He was a bit keen early, so I just let him go," Bowman said.
"But he switched off once he was in front and showed plenty in the straight, he's a promising horse."
Just last month Lonhro progeny delivered the first three winners at a Canterbury meeting.
Nixie won Wednesday's Grey Gums Hotel Penrith Hcp (1900m) to give Snowden a winning double.
The four-year-old is by Lonhro's sire, another former Ingham-owned champion Octagonal.
Bowman landed a winning double when he booted home Markworthy in the final race of the day run under lights on a surface downgraded from slow to heavy a race earlier.