IF there were any doubts about three-year-old filly Gee Gees Top Notch being the real deal before she tackled the 3YO Cup in Launceston last night then they were well and truly dispelled after she scored an emphatic win in the $50,000 event that was the best edition of the race in years.
Against a line-up that boasted arguably the best sprinting three-year-olds in the state, Gee Gees Top Notch produced a barnstorming finish to score from Gee Gee Red Prince (Daniel Ganderton) with Jerilderie Letter an eye-catching third.
The winner’s trainer Leon Wells said Gee Gees Top Notch was a “genuine star”.
“I’ve said all along that this filly was special and what she did tonight proved that,” Wells said.
“I admit I was a bit worried turning for home when she was still locked up with nowhere to go but when the gap came she burst through and went on to win like a very good horse,” he said
Gee Gees Top Notch started favourite at $3.50 ahead of Gee Gee Red Prince ($4.40) while Count Out from the Aiden Nunn stable was next in the betting at $4.60.
Gee Gees Top Notch was last season’s best two-year-old and as Wells explained there is always some trepidation as to whether two-year-olds can go on and deliver as well the following season.
“You can only hope for the best that two-year-olds that perform extremely well in their juvenile year can repeat it at three but I’m sure everyone now knows that Gee Gees Top Notch is not a one-season wonder”
There also was a lot to like about the effort of Gee Gee Red Prince that toughed it out over the concluding stages after having to do all the hard work early in the race.