Horse racing
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GINO D'Altorio's trophy cabinet is starting to fill up after his talented six-year-old Sonro took out Sunday's $22,000 Parkes Cup (1600m).
Sonro ($6) held on to win by a head from favourite Are You Sure ($2.88) while Private Taber ($13) was half a length back in third.
The victory continues Sonro's run of career-best form that stretches back to before last year's breakthrough Griffith Cup triumph, which has seen the gelding place six times in 11 races.
D'Altorio praised Wagga jockey Michael Heagney, who rode Sonro for the first time in Albury over Easter and has taken a liking to the horse this preparation, for expertly steering him home.
"It was a really, really big run - really nice," he said.
"Everything just went good for him, the jockey had him perfect and he finished it off.
"He's a very good jockey, Michael, he does a lot of work for me in Griffith and for Russell Hogan as well."
Sonro most recently won the Easter Cup in Tocumwal, finished sixth in the Wagga Town Plate and ran fourth in a strong field at the Barlens City Handicap (1400m) in Albury.
The horse has also won cups in Young and Hillston and has taken out the last two Narrandera Cups en route to a career earnings tally to date of just over $100,000.
D'Altorio said he was delighted all the hard yards he has put into Sonro are now starting to pay off.
"I don't know how many cups there are but there's quite a few there now," D'Altorio laughed.
"I've put a lot of time into him - all the horses I've got, I put a lot of time and effort into them.
"It feels good now to have the reward."
D'Altorio said he is now likely to send Sonro down to Victoria for a run with no suitable races in the Riverina on the horizon.
After winning a few times over 1200m earlier in his career, Sonro is now starting to fancy the longer distances and has found his wheelhouse in 1600m races.
Beyond that, D'Altorio said he was keen to net another Narrandera Cup in August.
"Hopefully we can make it three in a row," he said.