In Brief
- Tee Jay Frankie tunes up with solid trial win.
- Gee Gee Lanett set to run first-up in Devonport on Sunday.
- Gandy has high hopes for Gee Gees Lovebeer.
One of the most impressive of the seven trial winners in Hobart on Monday was three-year-old Tee Jay Frankie that gave away a huge start to tearaway leader Turbo Express but ran him down to score full of running over the 900-metre scamper.
The Stuart Gandy-trained gelded son of Myboycharlie is still a maiden after six starts but he was placed second at two of his first three starts over 1400 metres in Launceston late last year.
Tee Jay Frankie contested the Tasmanian Derby and the two main lead-up races to that event without any joy, although his fourth in the Launceston Guineas to Still a Star was an excellent effort.
Gandy is happy with how the gelding is progressing towards his first start this time in.
“I thought Tee Jay Frankie’s trial was good enough at this stage of his preparation,” Gandy said.
“He was a bit of a late bloomer and missed his two-year-old season but what he’s done so far has been pleasing.
“I expect him to be good when he gets over a decent amount of ground but in the meantime, we are hoping he can pick up a maiden win over a shorter trip.”
Gandy said Tee Jay Frankie would most likely line up in a maiden over 1350m in Devonport in three weeks.
The most impressive trial winner on Monday was the Scott Brunton-trained mare I Remember You that scored narrowly over Gee Gee Lanett but it was in the quickest time of the day, clocking 56.89 over 900 metres and she ran her last 600m in 34.75 without being fully extended.
Gee Gee Lanett also was impressive, and she will go into a benchmark 74 handicap over 1150m in Devonport on Sunday in top condition as that was her second trial since finishing fifth of six in Hobart over four months ago.
Gandy took four to the trials and walked away with three winners and second.
Fitzwilliam won his trial comfortably as did Gee Gees Lovebeer (Mawingo-Love a Beer) that Gandy believes has potential.
“Gee Gees Lovebeer has really developed during his break from racing and I expect him to win his share of races this time in.”
Gee Gees Lovebeer broke his maiden status in early December last year after which he had two more starts before being spelled.
Watch Tee Jay Frankie win his trial in Hobart on Monday.