For a stallion never supported by big numbers, Larneuk Stud’s O’Lonhro continues to do the job. At Cranbourne on Thursday the sire was represented by a particularly impressive debut winner in two-year-old O’Tauto who saluting at nice odds.
Taking on the odds-on pick Rock Tycoon, the Greg Eurell trained colt looked to have the job ahead of him following a tardy start, sitting wide most of the trip and then looking to be under pressure at the 600 metre mark.
But responding to the urgings of Damien Thornton, O’Tauto began a run around the field from behind the turn and once balanced into the straight he began to charge at the favourite – putting his nose out right where it counts.
“He is a horse we have liked all the way through,” trainer Eurell said post-race.
“The ability is there but he is big, raw and green and he still needs more experience; racing will bring him on I am sure.”
Greg Eurell has enjoyed good success with the O’Lonhro breed, describing the record-breaking Chelmsford Stakes winner as “a very underrated stallion.”
“I really like the O’Lonhros. They always give us a great run for our money; he really is a stallion who deserves to get more mares.”
Larneuk Stud’s Neville Murdoch, proud breeder and owner of O’Tauto, could not agree more.
“We just don’t understand why O’Lonhro so often gets overlooked. He ticks a lot of boxes – his progeny are sound, tough, consistent performers who do not take long to come to hand and who just keep improving as they mature.”
For further information on O’Lonhro, who stands alongside Cluster, Honorius and Wolf Cry at the Gooram based Larneuk Stud, contact Neville Murdoch on 0418 105 706 or visit www.larneuk.com