News Article

Leonardo picture perfect on debut

20 / 03 / 2011 Article by: Editor
Lombo Leonardo with owner Chris Schofield
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CHRIS SCHOFIELD has been racing standardbreds for over three decades with moderate success but a two-year-old by the name of Lombo Leonardo may have the potential to be the best he has raced.

Lombo Leonardo ($6.50 into $3.50) made an auspicious debut at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart on Sunday night, coming from behind to score a runaway win over the odds-on favourite Broadband ($1.80) with race leader Punt Road Disco a distant third.

The gelded son of Bettors Delight-Lombo Mona Lisa drew the pole position and began well but his trainer-driver Grant Hodges opted not to push him and eased out of the speed battle to settle third.

With only six starters Hodges was able to allow his charge to relax on the rails behind the speed and when Broadband’s driver Paul Ashwood decided to put it to the leader 600m from home the pair lofted the pace noticeably.

Broadband gained the upper hand at the top of the home straight but he was a sitting duck and Lombo Leonardo breezed past him to score by over a metre.

Listen to what owner Chris Schofield had to say about Lombo Leonardo’s Youthful Stakes win – click here.