Black Tomahawk - emerging stayer

Ballymore’s winning run continued at Echuca on Monday with emerging stayer Black Tomahawk recording a smart victory in the fourth heat of the Murray Mallee Winter Stayers Series.

Settling back from an outside gate, Black Tomahawk was patiently ridden by Mark Pegus who let the lightly raced four-year-old find his feet.

Hooking out at the top of the straight, Black Tomahawk spotted the leaders several lengths but in the style of a true stayer he wore them down and once in front he found plenty.

Drawing clear to win by an impressive 2¾ lengths, Black Tomahawk went to the line with his ears pricked.

“I rode him back to day to let him finish the race off and the speed was good so it suited him,” Pegus said, adding that “he has plenty of these races in him.”

A two times winner from just seven starts, Black Tomahawk has always been well regarded by the stable, Michael Moroney describing him as “a very nice horse in the making.”

A son of the regally bred Seul Amour – a son of Zabeel and the multiple Group One winning mare Grand Archway – Black Tomahawk was bred by his managing owner Sylvia Mooney.

His dam is the city winning Vite Cheval mare Willisa, sister to the stakes placed stayer Impulsive Risk and also dam of the dual city winner Spirited Will.

Plenty of talented stayers have emerged from this family including the stakes winners Mr Raku, Celtus, Professional Lady, Happy Union, Irish Lord and McBrave.

We are hoping the winning run continues during the week. On Tuesday we have just the one runner at Moe meeting but she looks to be a good chance.

Taking her place in the fourth heat of the Middle Distance Series, Milkwood has been in consistent form and her usual honest effort is expected.

“She is going really well,” Moroney said, “we can’t fault her work or her looks and this looks the right race for her.”

Wednesday is a busier day with three handy types heading to the Bendigo meeting.

Our first runner for the day is Archery Miss who contests the 2Y0 Maiden.

“She was a bit disappointing at her first start,” Moroney admitted, “but she is a nice filly who hopefully will improve with the blinkers on.”

In the following race, a 3Y0 Maiden, we saddle up Chobe who has come on nicely since his first up run over 1200m.

Suited up to 1400m, the O’Reilly gelding “had a good blow-out after that run.”

“We expect him to improve quite quickly,” Moroney said.

Devonshire Duke (pictured), who races in the Showcase mile event, is the third of our Bendigo runners.

Coming off a very good Geelong second last time out, the Keeper five-year-old has struck “a handy enough field.”

“But after the claim he looks nicely in and he should race very well.”

Unfortunately our Grafton Cup runner on Thursday – the talented Garud – has once again drawn out.

A run of awkward draws has proven costly for Garud of late but he continues to race well.

“His two Queensland runs were terrific,” Moroney noted, “and it would be no surprise to see him win – so long as he has a bit of luck from the gate.”