UNTIL this week Tasmania’s leading thoroughbred owners Paul and Elizabeth Geard had resisted the temptation of sending their horses interstate to race but the wall has finally fallen with two of their steeds to tackle races at Moonee Valley tomorrow night.
Classy sprinter Geegees Doublejay and talented three-year-old Gee Gee Red Prince travelled to Melbourne last night aboard the Spirit of Tasmania and, according to Spreyton trainer Dean Wells who is looking after the duo, they both travelled well.
“Both appear to have taken no harm from the trip. They drank as soon as they got off the boat and they have settled in well at Flemington,” Wells said.
Gee Gee Red Prince will line up in the $100,000 Premium Plate over 1200 metres in which he has drawn barrier four, while Geegees Doublejay will contest heat 16 of the $100,000 Jeep 55-Second Challenge over 995 metres.
The duo’s trainer Stuart Gandy will travel to Melbourne on Thursday to attend to prepare the horses for their interstate debuts.
Gee Gee Red Prince comes off a courageous win in the $30,000 3YO Classic over 1200m on an unsuitable heavy track on Launceston Cup day while Geegees Doublejay was fifth in an open handicap over 1200m on the same program but also was unsuited by the conditions.
“We weren’t sure if Geegees Doublejay would gain a start but we took a punt that he might and sent him anyway and it’s all worked out for the best,” Gandy said.
Craig Newitt will ride both horses and they have both drawn well with Gee Gee Red Prince to start from barrier two while Geegees Doublejay will start from gate four.
Geegees Doublejay has been handicapped to carry 56.5kg which is a light weight compared with what he has lugged at his past five starts that range from 59-61kg.
Gee Gee Red Prince will carry 57kg in his race that is at set weights for three-year-olds.