STAR Tasmanian galloper Geegees Blackflash will kick off another campaign in the $25,000 Jack Frost Quality Handicap over 1220 metres at The TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston tonight.
Geegees Blackflash will be having his first start since finishing third to Genuine Lad and Banca Mo in the Group 3 Launceston Cup over 2400 metres in late February.
While the distance of tonight’s race will be too short for the John Luttrell-trained gelding he has a phenomenal record over the shorter distances when he is fresh from a short let-up.
He has been placed in a Newmarket handicap and other feature sprints first-up but this might be a bit too soon after his arduous campaign that culminated in the state’s two richest staying events – the Hobart Cup which he won and the Launceston Cup.
This will be a tune-up run for Geegees Blackflash who is being aimed at the St Leger to be run over 2400m in Launceston on May 24 and tonight he will be reacquainted with Victorian jockey Jason Lyon.
The jack Frost has attracted a quality line-up that includes at least two from premier trainer Scott Brunton’s yard.
Brunton accepted with Streetwise Savoire, Royal Rapture and a newcomer to the stable Tougher Than Ever that has contested Group races interstate at his past five outings.
However Brunton said he was still mulling over whether to preserve Tougher Than Ever for the Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool next month.
If Tougher Than Ever doesn’t start tonight, the stable will still be left with two genuine winning chances in Streetwise Savoire and last start Hobart winner Royal Rapture.
Streetwise Savoire won the weight-for-age Thomas Lyons over 1400 metres on Hobart Cup day to claim the scalp of star three-year-old Admiral and he then went to the George Adams in Launceston and was third to Admiral and The Cleaner over 1600m.
Streetwise Savoire was third in a recent barrier trial in Hobart and did enough to suggest he is ready for this first-up assignment.
Royal Rapture was very impressive in winning a benchmark 82 handicap over 1000 metres in Hobart two weeks ago so he only needs to take that form into tonight’s race to be very competitive.
Last start Devonport winner Bundaleda has returned to his best and he too will have his share of supporters and he will be ridden by in-form apprentice Kyle Maskiell who will achieve a goal as it will be his first ride as an apprentice in a non-claiming race.