Gee, Jess looks a class act
BRIGHTON trainer Stuart Gandy prepared last season’s top juvenile in Gee Gee Josie and it looks like he could have another top award candidate in Gee Gee Lucky Jess after she blitzed her rivals in the first 2YO race of the season at Elwick yesterday.
Gee Gee Lucky Jess ($ 3.50) made the most of barrier one to lead and when rider Siggy Carr called on the daughter of Wordsmith to extend in the home straight, she drew clear and went on to score by two lengths from Champagne Cinders ($ 20) with the favourite Fighting Styx ($ 2) a half- length away third.
It was an impressive debut but one that Gandy expected.
“I told the owners ( Paul and Elizabeth Geard) that I would be disappointed if she didn’t win, so yes I was quietly confident,” Gandy said.
“She is a very relaxed filly that isn’t fazed by anything.”
When asked how Gee Gee Lucky Jess compares to Gee Gee Josie, he was exact in his assessment.
“This filly is well ahead of where Gee Gee Josie was at this stage of her racing career.”
Champagne Cinders was game in defeat as she raced outside the winner for most of the race, while the favourite was wayward in the straight but took ground off the winner at the business end.
Seven- year- old mare Manilenya caused a boilover in the first race, a benchmark 74 handicap over 1400m.
Easy Road was sent out the $ 1.30 favourite on the strength of wins at his two previous starts in lower benchmark races while Manilenya was having her first start for three months.
Easy Road settled second while Gee Gee Lanett ($ 5) set a solid tempo in front with rider Bulent Muhcu content to allow Manilenya to settle a clear last in the field of five.
Easy Road claimed Gee Gee Lanett halfway up the home straight and was being hailed the winner but Manilenya put in the big strides late to grab victory in the last few bounds.
The Julie Richards- trained mare had contested much better races including weightfor- age events, something stable spokesman Keith Richards was quick to point out after the race.
“She is very well- bred mare and has run some good races in quality events, which is why we entered her, and she’s earned good prizemoney for what was really a trial,” Richards said.
“We haven’t mapped out any specific races for her, but we know she can’t stay, so we’ll keep her around the 1400- 1600m distances.”
Kay Oh El ($ 41) delivered a blow to punters in the 3YO maiden over 1100m, coming from well back on the turn to score an impressive win over the heavily backed Sharma Rama ($ 3.20) from the Adam Trinder stable.