Local galloper Wallis repaid his connections for their patience with a game win in the weight-for-age Tasmanian St Leger (2100m) in Launceston on Thursday evening.

Wallis (8g Grand Royale – Moscow Intrigue by Twig Moss) stole a half-length victory from Gee Gees Blackflash (Clangalang) in the shadows of the post.  Three-year-old gelding Ben Annalou (Savoire Vivre) rattled home to grab third.

Wallis is by former Armidale Stud resident Grand Royale (Danzig) who is now used as a sire of equestrian horses.

The St Leger winner is a younger half-brother to Gorki (Tertian), a 10 time winner in Victoria and the Riverina region of NSW.  Their dam is a daughter of Flemington winner Iola (Alert) who was also runner-up in a Geelong Oaks.

Mowbray trainer Larry Dalco bought Wallis for $2,500 from Bowthorpe Stud at the 2004 Tasmanian yearling sale and the gelding has now won 12 races and $157,700.  “I set him for the St Leger and knew he would be very competitive,” Dalco said.  “He’s been a great horse for us and I’d like to have a stable full of horses like him.”

GeeGees Blackflash looked the winner when he gained the upper hand in the straight but Wallis refused to surrender and fought back to win in a stirring finish.  “He deserved a decent race because he has been so consistent this season,” winning jockey James Nevin said.  “And Larry had him spot-on.”