Tasmania's Horse of the Year Geegees Blackflash is on target to defend his crown in next weekend's AAMI Hobart Cup after a return to winning from in Sunday's Jockey Club Cup at Elwick.
Geegees Blackflash has now won twice in six starts this preparation but some doubters are asking if he is capable of repeating his heroics of last season next Sunday.
He answered the critics with Sunday's win, although his narrow victory over arch rival Dream Pedlar and Fieldmaster was aided by a smart Peter Mertens ride and he will need to improve to beat a much stronger field next Sunday.
The pace was set by Success Dostta until joined by Dream Pedlar 1200m with Fieldmaster enjoying the best run in third with Geegees Blackflash and Apache Son at the rear.
Dream Pedlar put it to Success Dostta at the top of the straight and Fieldmaster loomed three wide to threaten while Mertens stayed close to the inside rail and waited to gain a split between the leaders.
The always honest Dream Pedlar kicked on gamely whwn chelanged but was edged out on the line by his old rival.
In the $150,000 Bow Mistress Stakes Rebel Bride confirmed her status as Tasmania best mare when she outgunned a star-studded field to win the G3 feature for the second successive year.
Ridden by Stephen Maskiell Rebel Bride came from well back and three wide for the last 600m to run down the classy Melbourne mare and favourite Tariana from the Mick Price stable.
Tariana led and had the balance of the field struggling turning for home with the exception of Rebel Bride, who sustained a big run down the middle of the track to gain the upper hand close to the line.
She went on to score by a length from Tariana with the David Hayes-trained Rose Pattern a close third.
Rose Pattern made her way home along the rails with Follonica from the Anthony Freedman yard holding on wel for fourth.
The unlucky runner was Bel Price, who was bailed up on the rails beyond midfield and became a victim of circumstances when she wanted to go forward 600m from home.
The Vicki Rhind-trained mare kept getting held up before running sixth.
In the $100,000 Tasmanian Derby talented three-year-old Ollie’s Gold gave local trainer Gary White the win he has long been seeking when he outstayed a strong field of interstate rivals over the 2200m.
Courtesy of a gun ride from in-form jockey Jason Maskiell, Ollie’s Gold gave White an overdue Derby win after four previous second placings in the classic.
Maskiell made his run along the rails from the 500m to score convincingly from another local Keep The Cash with the Peter Moody-trained Strive To Excel third after looking the winner turning for home.
Ollie’s Gold earn a Derby start with a game third in the Hobart Guineas over 2100m on January 20.
White was ecstatic after the win after more than 20 years of trying to win the race.
