won by four lengths. As the short priced favourite, Lonhro was expected to have no problem taking out the Warwick S-Gr2 (1,400m) at his next start but was beaten a half head by Defier. Two weeks later, he won the Chelmsford S-Gr2 (1,600 m) at Randwick by three lengths. At his next start, only six horses lined up for the George Main Stakes-Gr1 (1,600m) but it was described as a mini Cox Plate with Sunline, Defier, Lonhro, Excellerator and Shogun Lodge entered. Lonhro was pocketed on the fence for much of the race and only saw daylight in the last 50 m, sprinting home to finish fourth. Sunline set a moderate pace in front from Defier, then Shogun Lodge outside Lonhro with Hey Pronto and Excellerator at the rear. Lonhro was then sent to Melbourne for a rematch with Sunline in the Caulfield Stakes-Gr1 (2,000m). A field of seven lined up, but all race discussions were whether Sunline as a 7yo would return to form and if Lonhro, having his first start beyond 1,600m, would be as effective over 2,000 m. Sunline assumed her usual front running style, and Lonhro stalked for most of the race in about third position. Little changed up to the 800m where Sunline quickened from Ustinov, and Lonhro started the long chase with Distinctly Secret heading the rest. Around the turn, Sunline raced clear of Ustinov with Lonhro steadily making ground but giving the mare a huge head start. By the 300 m, Sunline was over three lengths clear as Lonhro settled into his task. Inside the final 50m, Sunline and Lonhro were level with the mare fighting back strongly, but her younger rival edged in front to win by a half neck in race record time of 2:00:60. Both horses then headed to the WS Cox Plate two weeks later where Lonhro started $4 equal favourite with Northerly. Settling last in a field of nine, Lonhro was beaten, finishing 7.3 lengths behind Northerly. Lonhro backed up a week later in the Mackinnon S-Gr1 (2,000m) at Flemington, edging out Royal Code to finish his 2002 spring campaign on a winning note. Lonhro resumed in the 2003 autumn winning in the Expressway S-Gr2 (1,200m) by 2 lengths. Three weeks later, he won the Apollo S-Gr2 (1,400m) by 3½ lengths with a further 2 lengths to third. He was back a week later in the Chipping Norton