ALL GUNS BLAZING IN PUCKAPUNYAL CUP

Lario scored another deserved victory in the Puckapunyal Cup at Seymour on Sunday with a bold front-running display.

The Danny O’Brien-trained galloper has now won three starts this campaing to take his career tally to five wins and six placings from 20 career starts. 

Jockey Beau Mertens took luck out of the equation by taking the son Epaulette to the front and dominating the 1600m BM78 race on speed.

Mertens was confident a long way from home that he had plenty underneath him, with the tempo allowing Lario to find a rhythm early before producing his run at the right time.

“He travelled really well and when I let him go, he really picked up and was strong through the line,” ,” Mertens said post-race. 

O’Brien's Racing Manager Jack Howard echoed the sentiment, pleased to see the horse continue his recent excellent form.

“He’s been knocking on the door and it was good to see him string two together,” Howard said.  “We felt this was a suitable race for him and he was ready to peak.”

Pic by Racing Photos