Ranier (3 c Lonhro – Kanzan by Commands)

After four seconds and a third from his first five starts, Ranier (Lonhro) was beginning to earn himself a reputation as a serial bridesmaid, but ended his run of placed efforts with a tenacious maiden victory in the Gothic Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Caulfield last weekend.

The Godolphin-raced colt settled in sixth place, before being moved up (deep) nearing the home turn and came with a well-timed run down the outside to grab victory nearing the post, handing a first defeat to the smart and previous unbeaten Yulong January (King Of Prussia) by a half-head.

Ranier is one of only two foals to race out of the Darley-owned mare Kanzan (Commands), a multiple stakes winner who landed the Darley Crown (Listed, 1300m) and Glenlogan Park Stakes (Gr 3, 1300m) in succession during her five-year-old season. Kanzan herself is a half-sister to the four time-winning gelding Giresun (Domesday), who also finished runner-up in the Spring Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) at Newcastle.

That duo are two of five foals to race out of the winning mare Cherry Lodge (Grand Lodge), herself a half-sister to Morphettville Guineas (Listed, 1600m) winner Liberty Rose (Royal Academy) who in turn has produced stakes winner Grand Jardin (Redoute’s Choice).

Liberty Rose has also produced the Group 2 placed Liberty’s Choice (Redoute’s Choice) and Pontiana (Redoute’s Choice), the dam of Randwick Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) hero Inference (So You Think).

In 2016 Kanzan foaled a filly by former shuttler Medaglia D’Oro (El Prado), who is named Katalin and is unraced. In 2017 she missed to Teofilo (Galileo) and has most recently produced a colt by Lonhro (Octagonal).