Tomarlo and Luke McAteer © Photo Healy Racing
An eyecatcher when a never nearer fourth almost a fortnight ago, Tomarlo made the breakthrough on his sixth start in the Book Online At dundalkstadium.com Nursery Handicap.
Available at 4/1 in early shows for this six furlong heat, the David Marnane-trained bay came in for good market support and was sent to post the 11/4 favourite.
Settled towards rear by Luke McAteer, the £32,000 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale purchase got a nice run through on the far side early in the straight and made swift progress when ridden.
Getting to the front inside the final 200 yards, he readily increased his advantage and was a length and a quarter clear of Vanilla Baby (20/1 from 8s early) at the line.
Well-supported from 22s to 9s, the Kevin Smith-trained Undefeatable was just a neck back in third.
"He's grand, he's a nice horse. I think he'll actually end up being a nice horse," Marnane disclosed.
"He had a bit of a mixed old preparation - we had to geld him and his trainer ran him over the wrong trip, by accident though!
"It was a good run the last day and that was probably the first time he was asked to do something over five (furlongs).
"I think there is a nursery for him here in two weeks' time over five, so we'll see. I wouldn't be too worried about it.
"He travelled well and Luke just gave him a very good, confident ride and he picked up well. He said that he felt he was going to pick him up at all stages.
"How strong a race it is, time will tell but he has done it well. He's a lovely, genuine horse.
"It is good for the syndicate.
"We sold Jakajaro in England (Horses In Training Sale at Tattersalls) the other day, so we need a few. He made 200 (thousand guineas), so it was a good bit of business.
"We have 14 bought and we have a few more to go. There's a few shares left if anyone is interested.
"They (MRC International) have had a very good year, the two-year-olds are actually nice so hopefully there are a couple of maidens to run here in the next few weeks, so hopefully we finish it off well."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
