THE last feature races of the 2014-15 thoroughbred season will be conducted at UBET Racing Centre in Launceston on Sunday when the state’s leading owners, Paul and Elizabeth Geard, again look set to dominate.
Their ‘‘Gee Gee’’ horses will be favourites for three of the four $40,000 races on the nine-event program.
Geegees Blackflash, having his first start for new trainer Stuart Gandy, will be second-up after a short break in the Open Classic over 1400 metres, where he looks ideally suited.
Under the special conditions of the race, which has set weights plus penalties, he will meet all his rivals on much better terms than in a normal handicap.
The Geards also have star two-year-old Gee Gees Top Notch in the Tasmanian Sires Produce and the state’s top three-year-old filly Geegees Goldengirl in the 3YO Classic.
The only feature race in which the owners won’t be represented is the Tasmanian St Leger over 2400m, where Scott Brunton will saddle up the two top fancies, Rose Of Innocence and Payteevee.
Geegees Blackflash, who has been kept fresh for a shorter race this year, has started favourite in three of the past four St Legers but won only once.
In 2011, he ran second to Wallis and in 2013, he was second to Richoman when $1.20 favourite.
He made amends when he scored last year at $1.40.
Brighton trainer Terry Evans will be chasing his fourth Sires Produce win in five years with promising colt Turtles Nest.
Evans won the race with Pittenweem in 2011, Western Hero in 2012 and Inner Warrior Warrior in 2013.
He did not have a runner in the race last year when the Barry Campbell-trained Admiral thrashed a small field.
Campbell has a good chance again this year with consistent gelding Siorca.
By Greg Mansfield (The Examiner)
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