Magic mover by O’Lonhro

Larneuk Stud stallion O’Lonhro moved off the mark with brilliant debut winner Black Magic in Singapore on Sunday.

Black Magic (3g O’Lonhro – Bent Zena by Rancho Ruler) was sent out favourite for an Initiation Stakes (1200m) on the strength of a 7 length trial win but gave his supporters some anxious moments in the early stages.  Settling worse than midfield three wide, he angled clear into the straight and then raced past Ninetysix Power (NZ) for a comfortable two length victory.

“He’s been with us for a while but has had a couple of setbacks,” trainer Theo Kieser revealed.  “He was scoped and the vets found a big ulcer in his throat.  Then he stood on a nail that went through his pedal bone.  It was touch and go for a while, but thankfully, he pulled through again.

“He did a good job to win today as he did it tough.  He was three to four wide and still won very well.”

Black Magic cost $54,000 from Little Plains Stud (as agent) at the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier.  He is a half-brother to the Oamaru Force Melbourne winners Waitaki River Ben Zena.

Winning jockey Dan Beasley said the winner was still a work in progress.  “He’s got a very smooth action, like a hovercraft.  It’s like his feet don’t touch the ground.  He’s still very green, but he’s doing the right things now and he will definitely improve with experience.”

O’Lonhro (Lonhro) was a Group 2 winner of the Chelmsford Stakes – just like his own sire who captured the same race in 2002 and 2003.  Larneuk Stud owner Nev Murdoch stands him for a $5,500 (inc gst) fee.

“He’s had a half-dozen trial winners here and Greg Eurell has a nice one named Black Zorro who only just got beaten first-up at Geelong,” Murdoch said.  “We’re very excited with his first crop and they will really come into their own as autumn three year-olds.”

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