RISING star Tasmanian pacer Gedlee came of age in Launceston tonight where he scored a resounding win in the $20,000 City of Launceston Cup and earn ballot-free entry into next week’s $100,000 Group 1 Tasmania Cup in Hobart.
Gedlee went into the race with an unbeaten record from four starts this season but he had only been winning his way through the classes to class four level.
But courtesy of a front row draw (barrier 2) he was taken to the front by driver Sam Rawnsley while the favourite Vegas Bound (Darren Hancock) settled last from his outside second-row draw.
Rawnsley rated Gedlee ($4.20) superbly running serious sectionals without overtaxing the reigning Tasmania horse of the year.
Our Sir Jeckyl started the three-wide train when he moved out of the one-out line a lap from home and that’s when Rawnsley lifted the tempo slightly to ensure those behind had to work to get to him.
Nearing the home turn Rawnsley called on Gedlee to extend and he put a gap between himself and his rivals and held a six-metre margin over Vegas Bound ($1.60) on the line with Ti Vigliobene ($20) third, just in advance of Dance Of The Deity ($40).
Gedlee will go to the Tasmania Cup next Sunday night full of confidence and irrespective of what comes for the race from interstate he will be competitive.
Last season Gedlee chased home one of Australia’s best three-year-olds Lanercost in the Australian and Tasmanian Derbies before winning the $30,000 Globe Derby Stakes that not only won him the title of Tasmania’s best three-year-old but the horse of the year crown.