Stuart Gandy takes his smart sprinter Geegees Gemstone interstate for the first time to tackle the listed $150,000 Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
The gelded son of Alpine Eagle has tuned up for his return with a Hobart trial placing. He has only tasted defeat once in four previous fresh runs and that was when running into a dead end late in the TRC Goodwood Handicap first up last prep.
He also boasts an imposing record at the trip — five wins from six attempts, the only blemish coming in the aforementioned event.
The sparingly raced five-year-old draws gate 12 of the 16-horse field but will have the services of regular hoop Anthony Darmanin, who’s in hot form coming off a treble at Hobart last Sunday.
Darmanin combined with John Keys for his first two wins, kicking off with Toorak Treasure, who was always travelling kindly just off the speed before nailing race favourite Lord Hear Us right on the line in the maiden plate over 1600 metres.
The pair’s second win came via honest galloper Furneaux, who finished off hard from midfield to take the benchmark 68 handicap over 1200 metres.
The gelded son of Palentino has now won five from 18 and placed on another seven occasions.
Tassie’s leading hoop then made it a running double aboard the Shaun Nichols-prepared Sh’Bourne Midnight, who was badly held up on the home turn and early in the straight but launched when a gap appeared for a narrow but impressive win in the Class 4 handicap over 1430 metres.
Keys also notched a treble at the meeting, taking the Up Cups Open Handicap over 2400 metres with Happy Clan ($8.50), who proved too strong for his more fancied rivals Zulu Angel and Ashfall after box-seating under apprentice Christopher Pang.