IF there was any doubt about star pacer Gedlee being named Tasmania’s top three-year-old for this season they were obliterated in Launceston on Sunday night where the gelding demolished a star-studded line-up in the Globe Derby Stakes final over 2200 metres at The TOTE Racing Centre.
Gedlee worked hard early working three-wide without cover before easing back for a suit and then pulled his way to sit outside of the leader for the last 1200 metres.
The Time Stands Still gelding careered away from his rivals in the straight to score by 5-1/4 metres from Lugovoi Leis with Enchanted Heart two metres away third.
Despite the tough run he still clocked a sub-two minute mile rate of 1.59.9.
It was Gedlee’s fifth win this preparation but he also was placed second to star Queensland three-year-old Lanercost in the Australian Derby and the Tasmania Derby.
Gedlee is prepared at New Norfolk by Phillip Rawnsley and owned by his brother Gerald Rawnsley who bred the gelding in partnership with the late Leigh Plunkett at his Berriedale Stud.
During the trophy presentation the owner looked skyward and said “Leigh, you were right.”
The comment was based on what Plunkett had told Rawnsley when Gedlee was just a weanling.
Rawnsley said Plunkett had told him Gedlee was one of the most impressive foals he had ever bred, an evaluation that has well and truly been realised.
While Gedlee would probably start a short-price favourite to win the upcoming St Leger in Launceston fort what would be a brilliant end to a great season, his trainer Phil Rawnsley is unsure whether to proceed with that plan.
“He’s had a lengthy three-year-old campaign so we might turn him out for a decent spell.” The trainer said.
“You can go to the well once too often,” he said.
Gedlee has won five and been placed seven times this season for almost $60,000 in stakes.