The Denman disappointment aside, Saturday was another milestone for Darley sire Lonhro when his Australian winner tally reached 100.  Lonhro fillies Rain Melody and Reckons completed a running double at Kembla Grange yesterday to take their sire to the century mark.  

It’s the second fastest 100 ever sired in Australian.  His Darley associate Exceed And Excel broke the record in his third season when Namaste won at Seymour on January 7.

Lonhro is now only 12 individual winners behind Exceed And Excel in Australia and is bridging the gap week-by-week.

An Australian Horse of the Year, Lonhro retired to Woodlands Stud in 2004 and latest AAP figures show he is a clear leader on the third-season premiership with $4.34 million.  Exceed And Excel is next on $1.98 million and fellow Darley sire Reset is in third place with $1.37 million.

Lonhro flag-bearer Denman disappointed in the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday.  It was his second loss at 1600m but there were excuses both times.

Denman was coming to the end of a long campaign and was caught wide without cover when an unplaced favourite in the Caulfield Guineas in October.  He missed the kick in the Australian Guineas and, when sooled forward, over-raced outside the leader.  Nevertheless, he was beaten a long way from home at Flemington and connections will have to re-assess his future.

Lonhro’s Australian 100 has been augmented by another 8 winners in NZ, Singapore, Macau and Malaysia.  His winning percentage is bubbling just under 60% while his stakes winners to winners strike-rate is 12%.