FINDING the right adjective to describe the performance of star three-year-old sprinter Geegees Doublejay’s win in the $30,000 Autumn 3YO handicap at UBET Park Hobart on Sunday proved difficult.
Winning the race carrying 62kg on a heavy nine rated track with nine kilograms of that dead weight was an amazing feat but to hit the line over three lengths clear of quality opposition without having to be persuaded with the whip left everyone gob-smacked to say the least.
His trainer Stuart Gandy had an emotional moment after the race, having to wipe away the tears as he watched his star sprinter stroll back into the unsaddling enclosure with Siggy Carr aboard.
“To do what he did today carrying that weight on a heavy track is truly amazing,” Gandy said.
“It’s just a game to him and one that he loves to play,” he said.
Geegees Doublejay hit the line over three lengths clear of Secrets She Has and Lustica with the highly promising Silver Bolt a closing fourth.
There have been some outstanding efforts produced in feature races this season but few, if any, have been better.
To have opposition riders making comments such as “how can you beat him – he’s a freak” was testament to Geegees Doublejay’s dominance over the sprint distances (1000m-1200m).
There are those who will beg to differ as to whether Geegees Doublejay is better than Valiant Warrior who dominated the early 3YO sprints.
There is little doubt Admiral is still favourite to win the 3YO of the year award given his efforts in Tasmania and fifth in the Australian Guineas but Geegees Doublejay and Valiant Warrior won’t be far behind.
Tasmania is blessed to have these brilliant athletes in our midst in the one season and we mustn’t forget Gandy’s three-year-old filly Geegees Goldengirl that dominated the staying feature races winning the Strut Stakes and the Tasmanian Oaks before resuming two weeks ago to win an 1100-metre sprint.