They don’t get any tougher than Johnny Lombo

Johnny Lombo (Auckland Reactor) or Johnny Bravo? They don’t Get Any Tougher Than Him

There’s no denying that the standardbred is extremely tough, but Johnny Lombo only further confirmed that this weekend when he not only backed up for the Friday/Saturday race meets but took home first place in both races for harness racing trainer Lang Inwood.

Starting off the unusual double on Friday night at Narrogin when he started as the $2.20 favourite in the second event on the card, this time he was partnered by Racing WA’s new Harness Driving Mentor Aldo Cortopassi, who drove a double on the night.

The pair started from barrier eight over the 2242m trip in the second event, and after settling in the one-out-two-back position for the majority the race, Cortopassi made his move three wide with just under a lap to go, and in a great tussle down the line, took the narrow win over Gota Good Warhol by a short-half-head.

Not at all bothered by the quick back up, it was a case of de-ja-vu for Inwood and Johnny Lombo, with race two once again fruitful, but this time with Stuart McDonald in the seat.

Punters weren’t swayed by the horse having already run the night before, with the six-year-old starting as the short-priced $1.55 favourite on Saturday night at Northam, and after starting from barrier one, he settle behind the leader and with Watch Me Wave gone with around 600m to go, McDonald was off the pegs, with stablemates Lets Rock Tonight and Johnny Lombo making it a two-horse race down to the line.

The six-year-old chestnut gelding by Aukland Reactor originally started his racing career in the care of Aldo Cortopassi, and after 34 starts he made the move to Giles Inwood for just nine starts, before heading to Lang where he has been since April this year.

Johnny Lombo backs it up again, racing tomorrow night at Gloucester Park in another attempt to ‘beat the handicapper’ in the L5$ LT $4000 where he has drawn barrier 7.

His owner, Lou Ramesz is ‘tickled pink’ with the result, and it wouldn’t be completely unexpected if the horses gets his third win in just a matter of days, with trainer Lang Inwood making mention that Tuesdays race is just as suitable.

Winning 6 from 27 starts for Lang, Johnny Lombo has had a total of 71 career starts now for 13 wins and 21 places, with his stakes now just shy of $75,000.

A little elate to begin, as a youngster he struggled to break 35s seconds for a quarter, but after being given time to mature and grow, he was sent back to Aldo, putting it all together and managing to get his times downs, he eventually broke through for his maiden win at just his second start as a late three-year-old.

Johnny Lombo has pulled up well by all reports from his owner, Lou Ramesz and they are expecting a good showing tomorrow night at Gloucester Park.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA