Wednesday's Canterbury meeting is shaping up as a special day for long-time servants of Crown Lodge with the bulk of the Darley team on the program produced by champions Lonhro and Octagonal.Darley Australia racing manager Trevor Lobb is looking forward to the meeting where Lonhro has runners in the first four races while his father Octagonal has a runner in the final race of the day.Lobb, along with Darley Australia head trainer Peter Snowden, were long-time employees of the Ingham family who s
Wednesday's Canterbury meeting is shaping up as a special day for long-time servants of Crown Lodge with the bulk of the Darley team on the program produced by champions Lonhro and Octagonal.
Darley Australia racing manager Trevor Lobb is looking forward to the meeting where Lonhro has runners in the first four races while his father Octagonal has a runner in the final race of the day.
Lobb, along with Darley Australia head trainer Peter Snowden, were long-time employees of the Ingham family who sold their thoroughbred racing and breeding empire to Sheikh Mohammed's Darley for a reported $500 million early last year.
Since then, the cerise jockeys' silks have been replaced with maroon and white but most of the team remains the same with Snowden taking over from John Hawkes as trainer.
"I brought Peter down from Scone to work for the Inghams 25 or so years ago, we go way back and Octagonal and Lonhro were mainstays of the old operation, so tomorrow does have a special feel to it for sure," Lobb said.
"We're all looking forward to it, hopefully it's a big day for us."
Snowden has been in great form and celebrated a Group One-winning double at Rosehill on Saturday courtesy of Neroli in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes and Purple in the Vinery Stud Storm Queen Stakes.
In the opening event, the Autumn Racing Handicap (1200m), a pair of two-year-olds by Lonhro, Trim and Ceramic, are making their debuts.
Both have had a couple of trials going into the race and Lobb is expecting them to go well.
"They are nice types and have done everything right in their build-ups and I think they will be very forward for this race," Lobb said.
Lonhro three-year-old Mortal has been a consistent performer in his six starts and runs in the Congratulations Phelan Ready Handicap (1900m).
Two starts back he won at Warwick Farm in February before running second to the talented Rich Endowment at Newcastle on March 18 over 1600 metres.
"He's never far away and he looks well placed, he's done well since his last start," Lobb said.
Lonhro filly Beaded races in the www.theraces.com.au handicap and is looking for consecutive victories after a slashing win at Wyong on March 26.
Stablemate Measure, a Viscount filly, is making her Sydney debut after running fifth at Sandown on March 18.
"Beaded won very well at Wyong and will again be hard to stop," Lobb said.
"We've also got a Lonhro filly, Frighten, running in the race after and she is coming off a nice second at Wyong and will be going close again I'm sure, it could be a big day for Lonhro."
Octagonal four-year-old Norteno is having his first race since winning at Canterbury in November in the More Than Ready Handicap (1200m).
"He's won three of his six starts and is a very nice horse who has done well in the couple of trials Peter has given him leading up to this," Lobb said.