Trish Dunell
Londaro completed a rewarding weekend for Cambridge identities Bruce and Maureen Harvey when he broke his maiden at Hastings.
The Ascot Farm principals had enjoyed success at Ashburton on Saturday with Flying Ibis and 24 hours later they were back in the winners’ circle at the rescheduled Hawke’s Bay premier meeting.
Trained for them by Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen, Londaro had placed in one of his previous two outings before the Lope De Vega four-year-old raced away with the Hastings - Heart of Hawke’s Bay Mile (1600m).
“He’s taken a bit of time, he was a bit quirky earlier on and he’s always showed a lot of ability,” Bruce Harvey said.
“We’ve got a 30 per cent share in Flying Ibis as well and we’ve sold six horses overseas this year, we love racing but when the big money comes you’ve got to sell them.”
Flying Ibis, one of four winners at Ashburton for trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman, will now head to the New Zealand Cup carnival while Londaro also looks to have a bright future.
He was given an economical run by rider Sam Collett and they took full advantage when the breaks went their way at the top of the straight.
“We dropped down to the fence and got a nice run and it all panned out nicely for me,” she said.
Londaro played his part by finishing off strongly to account for Outstanding and The Mitigator.
“The addition of blinkers and a better track suited him,” Collett said. “He’s got a bright future.”– NZ Racing Desk.