LAKHONI IMPRESSES AT BENDIGO

Lakhoni maintained the exceptional strike-rate of the Flemington stable when proving too good for older opposition at Bendigo on Tuesday.

Lakhoni is the fourth winner from the last eight runners after he proved too good in the Rising Stars Benchmark 64 Handicap for apprentice riders over 1100m.

Fred Kersley elected to take a sit off the speed from a wide draw and after showing his immaturity in the home straight, the son of Dalakhani still proved to good.

Kersley said he had to make a decision soon after the start.

“The initial plan was to go forward and sit outside the leader but he was a little bit slow away,” Kersley said.

“The key was for him to find a nice rhythm - we settled further back than might have been ideal but when we came out in the straight he really let down well.

“He just wanted to move around and had a bit of a think but no doubt there is more in store for him.

“He's still very young and still learning what he’s doing and when he got to them he half waited but it was lovely to get the win.”

Congratulations to Lakhoni's owners Peter and Julie Bellas, who bred Lakhoni - the first foal from their Stravinsky mare Pretty Composed.