I think its definately time for a post dedicated to Lonrho. Im not full of information about him but hopefully it will be as popular as the notherly column as Lonrho is in amazing form

I agree that Lonhro is in spectacular form and has come back better than ever this campaign.
I think his real test will come in the Doncaster.
If I can secure black and white odds again, I'll definitely be backing him.

Chrome,

Lonhro should be at least 4/1 for the Doncaster. It won't be a sit and sprint like the George Ryder - pressure all the way and giving weight to all but Defier. I thought Defier and Shogun Lodge were equally as impressive as Lonhro the other day when you consider the ridiculous sectionals. They will be better suited by the Doncaster.

Don't worry about getting black odds - it should be an open betting race.

i agree about the race not suiting most horses but thats a part of lonhro's appeal, it will settle at most paces and i think its going to be very hard to beat in any race its in the way its going. looks like the cox plate is hawkes' main aim for him.

Lonhro is an outstanding horse but he was given the Darley on a platter and the Doncaster will be a completely different race (which I think with even luck he can still win.)

In the Darley, as soon as Beadman went forward and they settled down into nothing more than a canter he was always going to win. The other jockeys showed a distinct lack of initiative and very poor judgement.

While he did plenty wrong in his time, I recall R S Dye facing similar circumstances in the Chipping Norton at W'Farm aboard Octagonal. Filante, Juggler and a couple of others were up front going as slow as ever while Dye and Octagonal were in their customary back position. Dye knew he had no chance of winning by staying there, so at the 800m he lit up Octagonal and took off around the outside of the field, went to the front and went for home. He won the race.

Now that I have that off my chest, there is no doubting the quality of Lonhro and he is definitely the one to beat in the Doncaster. John Hawkes describes Lonhro as a sprinter / miler who can get 2000m and I think thats pretty accurate. With that in mind I would be surprised if he ever wins a Cox Plate.

Osulldj,

I agree with your comments.

I'd even go so far as to say that Lonhro is a middle distance Champion.

Certainly yet to prove himself over anything longer than 2000m in a quality race.

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No doubt this is a quality horse and in any SWFA race up to an including 1600m is nearly a moral...

However, the Doncaster is a different race, pace, large fields, handicap weights.

I believe the key to his Doncaster chances lay in two areas:

1. His barrier draw;
2. Where the race leaders are drawn.

If he draws inside and a few leaders draw outside the race pattern will probably suit him.

An outside barrier draw and speed on the fence will make life difficult.

It should be a great race.


LB

The gutless Sydney bookies will serve Lohnro at around 6/4 in the Doncaster.I had a small serve about 6 weeks ago at 7/1 when John Hawkes was undecided about his program.I am still not confident,as I think his nemesis,Defier,will be better suited in this race.

Lonhro is the best horse in australia, if he gets beat in the doncaster ill give up betting

Booma

Lonhro is no moral in the Doncaster, boomas.

Handicap, more early pace, larger field, etc.

The last 600m in the Ryder was 32.47, which indicates the farsical early pace. Overall however, the time was very slow for Group 1 horses, imo.

Kudos goes to Lonhro for adapting so well, but for the backmarkers the Ryder was little more than a barrier trial.