Stuart Gandy targeting Melbourne riches with Gee Gees Jet
TASMANIAN trainer Stuart Gandy has eyed off the Bendigo Bank Handicap on Cox Plate day for speedy gelding Gee Gees Jet.
The $120,000 sprint (955m) features some handy metropolitan types from the big stables, but little-known trainer Stuart Gandy believes he has the right horse to score some Melbourne riches.
Gees Gees Jet might not be a household name, but the five-year-old has won 10 of its 24 starts in Tasmania and the $14 chance with Neds.com.au deserves its spot in the field.
Coming off a win at Hobart over stablemate Geegees Doublejay, Gandy is confident it has come through that run well and he’s confident the gelding has settled in well enough to the new environment.
“He seems to have settled in good by all accounts. He’s been cared for Jerome Hunter in Mornington,” Gandy said. “He has settled in good and has travelled well.”
Having carried 61kg to victory at open handicap level last start, Gandy was running out of options at home for the smaller-framed gelding.
“He’s at the stage now where his rating in Tasmania doesn’t allow him to have many runs. He’s quite a small horse and doesn’t carry weight, so it’ll be nice to see him go around with 54kg on his back,” said Gandy, who has had success in Melbourne when the aforementioned Geegees Doublejay finished second in the 55 Second Challenge and beat home Sheidel.
“We took a couple over a couple of years ago. Most of the owners horses just run in Tasmanian, but we had one in the final of the 955m and he ran second in that.”
Gee Gees Jet has just as much pace as its stablemate and the shorter distance is going to suit perfectly around the tight-turning Moonee Valley track on Cox Plate day.
“He’s a real quick horse and he trials over 900m and runs decent times,” Gandy said. “He doesn’t have a huge stride, but he throws his stride down pretty quickly and the 955m should be up his alley.
“He’s a quick beginner and he always jumps a length in front, so he should be on pace.”
Gandy had the choice to bring the son of Wordsmith over at the end of the carnival, but opted to challenge his five-year-old against the fresh horses.
“It’s a hard time of the year to go over, but it’s either now at the start of their preparation or at the end of their preparation, so we thought we’d take them when they’re fresh,” said Gandy, who is looking forward to attending Cox Plate day.
“We’re really looking forward to it – seeing Winx. It’ll be by far the biggest race day we’ve had a runner at.”
Gandy also lines up Gee Gee Lanett in the Crockett Stakes at 1:50pm.
Moonee Valley Race 2 betting
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