FAME BESTOWED ON ‘THE FLASH’
ONE of Tasmania’s most loved Hall of Fame inductees, Geegees Blackflash, was elevated to legend status at the annual Tasmanian Thoroughbred Awards Night on Friday.
Geegees Blackflash earned his place in the elite club by winning 22 of his 69 starts, with 27 minor placings, contributing towards career stake earnings of $1.2m, all of which was earned in Tasmania.
Despite having never raced outside of Tasmania, “The Flash” had a fan base that stretched far and wide, but his owners-breeders Paul and Elizabeth Geard were content to race in Tasmania, where the gelding became the people’s horse.
Between 2009 and 2015, Geegees Blackflash triumphed over distances ranging from 1100m to 2400m, winning major cups as well as multiple and Listed events. His wins included two Hobart Cups (2012, 2015) and a Launceston Cup (2013).
He also won the state’s most prestigious sprint, the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) in 2011, but none was more memorable than his 2015 Hobart Cup win as an eight-year-old.
Paul Geard was elated with his former star’s upgrade.
“This is the ultimate honour for the horse, and I don’t think we will ever have another Geegees Blackflash, even though as breeders and owners we live in hope,” Geard said.
Two more horses were inducted into the elite club, in top race mare and successful broodmare Kat’s Clause, along with former major cups winner Andrias, owned by the late Darrel Baldock.
Former talented jockey Kevin Dodge made his way into the Hall of Fame and he travelled from the Northern Territory to receive his citation.
Dodge won two Hobart Cups and three Devonport Cups, as well as multiple feature race wins, until a serious race fall ended his career in 2007.
Trainer Michael Trinder received a rousing reception when he was announced as the trainer induction.
Trinder secured his trainer’s licence in 1973, the year after the familyweight-for-age owned Piping Lane won the Melbourne Cup.
During an almost 50-year career, Trinder has earned the respect of all in the industry, and he boasts two state trainers’ premierships (1983 and 1989).
Last year his mare Toorak Affair won the Hobart Cup, which until then was the only feature race not on the list of Trinder-trained winners.
The late Rod Thirkell-Johnston, AM, was finally recognised for his achievements as a racing administrator by being inducted in the Associate category.