THIS year’s crop of two-year-olds have yet to reveal a superstar of the calibre of the winners of the state’s top 2YO award of the past two seasons.
Grand Tycoon won seven of eight starts during the 2012-13 season and he continued to dominate at three and last season Admiral claimed victory in six of his seven starts that included victory in the $100,000 Elwick Stakes, $100,000 Gold Sovereign and he ended his season with victory in the Sires Produce over 1400m.
In Launceston tonight Admiral will be aiming to notch his first win as a three-year-old in the 3YO trophy over 1400m at what will be his second run back from a spell having been beaten first-up by Valiant Warrior in the 3YO Cup.
But there is a first-starters in tonight’s 2YO event that could signal the start of something special.
Gee Gees Vicki is a filly by Wordsmith from The Cry that could not have been more impressive in winning a trial in Hobart recently.
The John Luttrell-trained filly finished fifth of seven in her first trial on October 31 but last week she delivered a stellar performance to defeat three-year-olds All Bar Madison and Hey Girl.
She ran the 900 metres in 58.09 seconds but ran home her last 600 metres in 35.67 which was excellent for a two-year-old.
The filly has drawn the outside gate (12) tonight so to win she is most likely going to have to produce the goods at both ends of the race.
If that eventuates then it would be fair to say she is a filly with a very bright future.
The Barry Campbell-trained Siorca is the ruling favourite at $2.10 after opening at $1.85.
Siorca is the most experienced in the field of 10 having started three times for minor placings, two of which were behind Gee Gees Vicki’s stablemate Geegees Top Notch.
The Stuart Gandy-trained Geegees Double Jo has had two starts for a debut fourth and a last-start third behind Geegees Top Notch and Siorca so she warrants plenty of respect.
The early money trail suggests the Bill Ryan-trained filly Elusive Moment has strong stable support as this daughter of Tough Speed has been backed in from $16 to $8 which can only be due to a third in her 700-metre trial behind Madame George and Argentic at Longford on December 16.