Step up in trip sees Lord Aus make the breakthrough Racing over 12-furlongs for the first time, the Johnny Murtagh trained Lord Aus relished the extra distance when keeping on well to win the Conference & Banqueting Facilities @ Limerick Handicap. Third on his recent handicap debut at Down Royal, the Homely Equines Ltd gelding was sent off a well backed 15/8f to gain a first success. Always prominent under Ben Coen, the son of Australia led two-furlongs from home. Soon kicking clear, the three-year-old powered away to beat Point Cartwright by three-and-a-half lengths. Johnny Murtagh said: "He was very small and narrow at the start of the year so he took a bit of organising. He was fresh and messing in the stalls the last day but is getting it together now. He is bred to stay and he stayed on well at Down Royal so I think 1m4f is a good trip for him. "Ben said the ground felt a little tacky for him and that he would prefer better but it was pretty straightforward and he gave him a beautiful ride. He won like I thought he would as he improved from last week. "I won't be in any rush with him and it is great to have a horse in training for Homely Equines, and it is their first winner with me." Quotes by Thomas Weekes.
