BEEGEES BRIGHSTAR SHINES OUT IN LAUNCESTON BENCHMARK

BRIGHTON trainer Rod Seymour will contemplate giving six-year-old Geegees Brightstar an opportunity to win a feature race after his impressive win in a benchmark 72 handicap over 1600m at the Luxbet Racing Centre in Launceston last night.

Geegees Brightstar ($18 into $10) carried top weight of 60kg with the claim for apprentice Amirul Ismadi but he was up to the task, scoring by a halflength from odds-on favourite Earl Da Vinci ($1.80 into $1.65).

“I was a bit worried about the weight he carried tonight but in the end he did it well,” Seymour said.

“On the strength of that effort I will think about nominating him for the Tasmanian Stakes over 1600m because I think he deserves a chance at winning a decent race.

“He has been a very good horse for me because he always tries his best.

“That’s his eighth win and he’s had a half-dozen placings so he has paid his way.”

Earl Da Vinci settled second behind the Miss Hussy who led to the 400m where four runners made their charge.

When David Pires called on Earl Da Vinci to extend he dug deep but he never looked com- fortable in the run and his demeanour in the mounting yard also was out of character. WELL-BRED mare Global Princess ($12) scored a narrow but game win in a 1600m class one handicap last night.

The Royston Carr-trained mare settled last in a big field while the Alana Fulton-trained Belestrand ($4.20) showed good early speed to lead and set a solid tempo.

Jockey Troy Baker eased Global Princess out to make her charge and as the widest runner on straightening she unleashed a powerful burst to run the leader down in the last stride.

“I’ve been waiting to get this mare over ground and tonight she took all day to get there but she’s won and that’s what counts,” Carr said.

“I think she will handle stepping up to 2100m and beyond but we’ll take our time.” SPREYTON trainer Adam Trinder is hoping to get his lightly raced three-year-old Bolt out of the blue into next month’s $100,000 Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) following the gelding’s impressive first-up win in a maiden over 1200m.

Despite a betting drift from $3.60 out to $7, the gelded son of Lord Jim rattled home along the rails after stable apprentice Chris Graham had him settled just off the speed to the home turn.

He hit the line more than a length clear of Lyonesse and Go For It.