The Group I MVRC Manikato Stakes on October 22 looks the likely next assignment for progressive sprinter Lombardo, who claimed his first Black Type victory at Caulfield on Saturday when winning the Listed MRC Neds Village Stakes (1200m).
Trained by Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr, the five year-old son of I Am Invincible had a year away from racing due to injury, but has steadily worked back to top form this preparation since resuming with a win in mid July.
Sent out favourite for his first try at stakes company off the back of facile wins at Morphettville and Moonee Valley, Lombardo lived up to his potential.
He enjoyed a good run under Jye McNeil and was strong at the finish to win by three-quarters of a length taking his overall record to six wins from 10 starts with prizemoney just shy of $300,000.
“The horse is thriving and this was the build into a possible run in the Manikato,” said Mick Price.
“He handles Moonee Valley and he likes to get his toe in and it’s 13 days to the Manikato, so why not?
“It’s a great result for Cathy Hains, who went in to bat for her own horse and said ‘I’ll take him and spell him at my place for three or four months for nothing’ and hence it’s got her colours as she backed her horse.”
A $300,000 Inglis Premier purchase for M G Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd / Aquis Farm from the draft of Burnewang North, Lombardo runs for a syndicate that includes his breeder Cathy Hains in whose colours he runs.
Lombardo is a half-brother to stakes-placed Resistant and is the best of seven winners from stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Swinging Babe, who is now retired from stud duties.
Lombardo is the 66th stakes-winner for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible.
