LOVEMELONGTIME shows great improvement on his return

The handsome Brown 3YO gelding Lovemelongtime (Lonhro x Danesty) raced first up at Warnambool on Tuesday (31/1/12) and posted a no fuss professional maiden victory at his second career start.

Personally selected and purchased by Jason Warren at the 2010 Melbourne Premier sale, he first raced back in June 2011. On that day he stepped out as a colt, and somewhat surprisingly jumped the odds on punters elect. After over racing in the early stages of the race, he got lost coming around the Cranbourne turn, and was disappointing in finishing last.

The colt was immediately put out for a spell and the owners were called upon to be patient. Never easy when your 'odds on fav' has just been 'rolled'.

Fast forward to Tuesday and LOVEMELONGTIME, now a gelding, stepped out a different horse.
He looked a picture in the yard and his recent track work gave the stable confidence that in the Garden Tyrepower 0 - 58 Handicap over 1000m, we had him well placed.

Andrew Mallyon who had ridden him in track work was also keen to make the long trip west to Warnambool, his only ride for the day.

Unfortunately LOVEMELONGTIME had drawn a wide gate and with decent early speed inside him, Andrew would need to use his best judgment to give LOVEMELONGTIME every chance.
Andrew produced a well calculated ride, slotting LOVEMELONGTIME in behind the genuine speed, and providing him with cover throughout the trip. Importantly LOVEMELONGTIME showed he had improved significantly as this time he took the corner with ease, before Andrew produced him widest with plenty of time to run down the leaders who had set up a decent break.

LOVEMELONGTIME hit the line with gusto over the final furlong and although the final margin was only half a length, he never really looked like being defeated.

He has clearly come back in good order, and now a gelding, mentally he looks much better developed. He races as though he has scope for further improvement and can hopefully further repay his connections patience and faith, provide he is appropriately placed.

Congratulations to all the connections (Mr M S Hanson, Mr M Cook, Mr D D El Fahkri, Y F B Racing, Kennedy Thoroughbreds, Mrs Y T Warren) on a very good first up win!

Race 7 4:35 PM EST Garden Tyrepower 0 - 58 Handicap 1000m $12,000
1st 4 LOVEMELONGTIME(10)
Andrew Mallyon/Jason Warren
58.5 Time 59.07
$2.25/$3F

2nd 1 COODAWOODASHOODA(2)
Dean Yendall/Nicholas Roe
60.0 Margin 0.5L
$3.50/$4.40

3rd 9 MISS PINKALOT(7)
Matt Pumpa/John Brooks
56.5 Margin 0.6L
$16/$16

4th 5 TOMINO(1) Jackie Beriman(a3)/Jacqueline Henderson
55.5 Margin 0.7L
$7/$4.20

- Simon Lavery (Racing Manager)