Giant gelding Black Uma is going as well as ever for Scenic Lodge owner-breeder David Smith.

The Blackfriars five year-old broke through for his first win at Ascot in December 2011 and since then he has never finished further back than fifth.

“He’s a fighter and I knew he wouldn’t give up,” trainer Jim Taylor said after Black Uma did best in a head-bobbing finish to the Amelia Park Beef Hcp (1600m) on Saturday.  “He was suited by the fast pace and stays out of trouble on the pace.”

Black Uma (5g Blackfriars – Uma Princess by Umatilla) is a younger half-brother to Taylor favourite Idyllic Prince (Scenic) who earned over $1 million during a distinguished career.

“He’s a big horse – well over 17 hands.  He was racing third-up from a spell today and will be peaking when we get him out to 1800 metres next time.”

Big Josh filled out a Blackfriars double at Ascot in the WA Country Cup (1500m) on Saturday.  He is a homebred for Trucking Nominees manager David Reed and so is last-start Belmont winner Fresco Friar.

Blackfriars has a narrow lead on the Sunspeed premiership with earnings of $673K ahead of Oratorio (Aus) on $663K.  Saturday’s results followed his Listed quinella in the Northerly Stakes on October 19.

Scenic Lodge stands Blackfriars for a $22,000 (inc gst) service fee.