Heatherly Makes It 57 for Lonhro

Mark Smith - Saturday February 13
The story of Saturday's Group II Schweppes Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield is easily told, the Lonhro filly Heatherly went straight to the front under Katelyn Mallyon, increased her margin at every call and was throttled down to win by five and a half lengths.

 Group 1 Myer Classic winner Politeness (Street Sense) saw daylight too late but finished off strongly for second with 100/1 shot Just A Bullet (Danerich) a half-length back in third. (photo Grant Courtney)

"With the 51kgs she scooted along and we got nice easy sectionals early, she switched off lovely so gave a good kick and it was good to get a Group winner for them," Mallyon said.


Trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra for Barry and Midge Griffiths, Heatherly was purchased for $90,000 from the draft of Broadwater Thoroughbreds at the 2014 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

The Group I Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on February 27 is expected to be her next start.

"We've got her pretty right and it showed today," Ellerton said.

"She took a huge amount of improvement going into today.

"Let's hope we can go on in another fortnight.

"Three-year-old fillies haven't got a bad record in it (the Oakleigh Plate).

"All being well that's the way she'll head."

It was the third consecutive win for Heatherly and the fourth overall from seven starts taking her earnings to $275,950.

The 3yo daughter of Lonhro is the third foal of the unraced Danzero mare Dancing Heather who is a half-sister to Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner Linton (Galileo).

Dividing her time between New Zealand and Australia, Dancing Heather has a yearling filly by Cape Blanco (Ire) a filly foal by Helmet and was covered by Written Tycoon last season.

Heatherly becomes the 57th stakes-winner for Darley Stud's Lonhro who has six yearlings catalogued for the Premier Yearling sale and seven for the Easter Yearling sale.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.