Saturday Trio

Runners at a mixture of track this Saturday, Ballymore heading to Flemington with Black Tomahawk, to Rosehill with Space and to Seymour with Master Barista.

Lining up in the ninth event, the Briseis Handicap named after the only three-year-old filly to win the Melbourne Cup, Black Tomahawk is rising in class but Michael Moroney is looking forward to seeing how the lightly raced five-year-old measures up.

"We have been really pleased with him, he has been going well," he said.

"He is racing in stronger company but we can always drop him back in class later if he is not up to it. But the softened track is going to give him a chance so we decided to roll the dice."

A 3kg claim by talented apprentice Jake Bayliss brings Black Tomahawk into the 2000m race with 51kg and seeming he was placed with 7kg more at his most recent outing he is certainly going to appreciate the relief!

Hopefully by the time Black Tomahawk runs we will have already cheered home a winner with Space contesting the opening event at Rosehill, the Cohort Global Handicap.

With only five rivals, Space (pictured) - who will be ridden by Sam Clipperton - looks a major chance especially as he is bound to have derived great benefit from his most recent outing.

Fifth on that occasion having not raced for six weeks, Space "loomed up to win but the lack of recent racing just told over the final stages."

"He will strip a long way fitter for that run," Moroney said, noting that the five-year-old boasts a consistent record over staying trips.

Meanwhile our other runner on Saturday is a stayer in the making, Master Barista - who hails from one of our favourite families - having just his second start in the highweight maiden at Seymour.

Tiring after sharing the lead at his debut over 1580m at Pakenham a couple of weeks ago, the son of Mastercraftsman surprised us a bit.

"He had not shown that sort of speed at home but in saying that our jump-outs here are only over 600m and 800m."

A horse who Moroney says "has a bit of style about him," Master Barista will improve upon whatever he shows on Saturday but we are hoping "that he will show enough to give us a bit of confidence in him."

A slow maturing type "who will take a bit of making," Master Barista is certainly bred for ground being out of a 3/4 sister to our Melbourne Cup champ Brew.

"He took a while to get going too," Moroney said.