Lone Command continues streak from hot form race

The Hawkes Racing-trained Lone Command led all of the way to score a hollow win in the Tony and Manera Lahood Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Lone Command became the seventh individual winner to come out of a benchmark 75 race, won by Shamash, at Rosehill on November 13 and the second at the meeting after Mascareri won earlier in the day.

Rated perfectly by in-form apprentice Josh Adams, Lone Command set the race up to suit himself before powering clear from the top of the straight and was never in danger of defeat in the run to the line.

“Full credit to Josh” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. “He fired across, stacked them up then waited, waited and waited.

“He’s a horse that has always shown he’s got his share of ability and the older he gets the better he’s getting.”

Lone Command defeated the favourite Star Leader with Voltabolta in third.

Hawkes said he was undecided what lies ahead for Lone Command but he refused to dismiss the possibility of the horse backing up next Saturday in the Group II Villiers (1600m) at Randwick.

“I would have to see how he pulls up but I won’t rule it out,” he said. “That was only his second run this prep and he’d have to go home and lick out the bin but we’ll see what happens over the next few days.”

Story: Clinton Payne RaceNet

Photo: Sportpix