Written by Georgie Dennis
Roheryn (Lonhro) made the step-up into stakes company with flying colours as he stormed home to take out the G3 Mostyn Copper Show County Quality at Randwick on Saturday.
Coming off a runner-up performance behind subsequent Group 2 winner Eduardo (Host {Chi}) in the July Sprint, the James Cummings-trained gelding showed an electric turn of foot from the middle of the field, overrunning Special Reward (Demerit). Star New Zealand mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) flashed home to finish second.
“He was in a good race today and had to make a big leap and he did that,” Cummings said after the race. “It was a good win and I think we’ll all be impressed with the horse and pretty proud of his effort.”
Roheryn was under pressure entering the home straight but Cummings credited Jason Collett for his strong riding to keep the gelding going.
“In races sometimes they talk about flat spots before the turn and Roheryn hit the flat spot of all flat spots today and Jason knew the horse,” the trainer said. “He has a bit of a connection with him and knew that if you get him limbered up and into the race, then he was going to make some impact.
“Once he does get going and gets through his gears and gets into his top gear, he’s got a beautiful liquid action and it was great to see him eat up the ground.”
"He’s got a beautiful liquid action and it was great to see him eat up the ground.” - James Cummings
Roheryn began his career with two victories in a row, including a 4l win at Rosehill in November 2018, but remained in handicap company until yesterday, and Cummings believes the gelding is finally living up to his early potential.
“He was deserving of a good race because he’s had a little bit of a boom on him since he debuted and got through his first preparation,” Cummings said.
“He’s putting it together and having thought about trying to make more a miler out of him than a sprinter, I think we’ve unlocked the key to him and it’s proving to be very beneficial.”
Chris Waller’s Group 1 winner Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) started favourite for the race after the stable opted to scratch her from the G1 Winx S. in favour of the Group 3 event, and after settling second last throughout the run, she ran on to finish sixth.
Bred by Godolphin, Roheryn is the 11th foal out of 2000 G3 Blue Diamond Prelude winner and dual Group 1 placegetter Mannington (Danehill {USA}), who was purchased by Darley for $2.05 million at the 2005 Inglis Broodmare Sale.
Mannington has produced nine individual winners including 2005 G1 Victoria Derby winner Benicio (More Than Ready {USA}) and 2009 G3 Vanity S. scorer Romneya (Red Ransom {USA}), who is responsible for the Group placed Matilija (Medaglia D’Oro).
Mannington herself is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Bollinger (Dehere {USA}), who produced G2 Sandown Guineas winner Villermont (All Too Hard) and American G2 scorer Friesan Fire (USA) (A.P Indy {USA}).
