Gee whiz, that went very Wells

SPREYTON trainer Gee Gees Cricket broke through for an overdue win when he proved too good for his rivals in a class one handicap over 1400m in Launceston last night.

The Team Wells-trained four-year-old gelding was used up early by jockey Brendon McCoull to secure a good spot behind the leaders and when he called on the son of Wordsmith for an effort, he swept to the front and staved of all challenges.

Gee Gees Cricket ($4.20) won from Bunker Star ($7.50), while the favourite American Sunday ($2.40) ran home late to grab third after dropping the bit at the 500m mark.

“That was one hell of a ride and it’s why McCoull has been the best for the past 20 years,” said co-trainer Dean Wells.

“The horse has been very consistent without winning so he deserved this win.”

Wells’s jubilation after Gee Gees Cricket saluted was evident as he engaged in plenty of backslapping and high-fiving with owners but the antics elevated to a different level after their well-bred filly Gee Gees Doubleyou (WordsmithJosie’s Double) led throughout to win a 3YO maiden over 1100m.

The filly showed brilliant speed to lead but she was pressured to the home turn by the odds-on favourite Appraise ($1.80) with Craig Newitt aboard.

“When Newitt called on the favourite to challenge he loomed to run past the leader but Gee Gees Doubleyou had other ideas and slipped a length clear and held that margin to the line,” he said.

“This filly had a little set- back recently and she does have issues that we have to manage but tonight she showed what we have always known she possessed.”

The filly is a full sister to former star two-year-old Gee Gees Double Dee and this lat- est sibling is just a smaller version.

Rider Siggy Carr said there are a few similarities between the two.

“Doubleyou appears to have an old soul the way she walks around the mounting yard and Double De was exactly the same.”

Trainer John Blacker was not fazed by Appraise’s defeat.

“Appraise is a very nice horse and he will learn a lot from tonight’s race,” Blacker said.