Search

show me:

Gem proves to be a bargain buy

3 minute read

A mare that initially cost $100,000 is proving to be a handy purchase for Grenville Stud.

On Wednesday night, Extreme Gem (Extreme Choice x Encosta Jewel) scored her second win overall and first for Graeme Mcculloch in Launceston.

McCulloch paid just $2000 for the 5YO mare who was previously trained by the Freedman team in Sydney.

Extreme Gem ($4.20 – $3) showed blistering speed to lead and she had to survive a protest after scoring by a head from Liberty Rae ($13).

Odds on favourite Cairns ($1.85) was disappointing, after sitting second she weakened to finish second last.

"She hasn't been easy to train, she's not a really good doer, and I've just sort of had to play around with her a bit.

"Down the track, we will (breed with her), I don't think we will go with her this year, we'll race her on a bit," Studmaster and trainer Graeme McCulloch said.

"She was very quick away from the gates, so I just used that to my advantage.

"She was a little bit keen throughout, and she finally got the job done today after two lovely runs here," Jockey Erica Byrne Burke said after the race.

Jet flies back into the winners' circle

After being sidelined with a suspensory injury, Geegee Jet By was back on the winners' list at his first run since January in the BM60 (1100m).

Given a perfect run by 4kg apprentice Jackson Radley, Geegee Jet By was too strong for early leader Wheeling ($23 – $8.50), with Thunberg ($2.90) in third.

Trainer Stuart Gandy opted to race Geegee Jet By ($3.60) in blinkers for the first time. That, and the decision to use a claiming apprentice may well have been the difference between winning and losing given the margin of a short neck on the line.

"He's come back good, a great result and a really good ride, that was a senior ride I'm really rapt for him," Gandy said.

It was the third career win for 17-year-old Radley, who only started race riding in August.

Gray stable shines bright

Mr. Rouquin had shown enough in two starts since coming to Tasmania to suggest that a win wasn't far away, and he delivered for his new stable in Launceston in the maiden over 1600m.

A drifter in the market, Mr Rouquin ($2.70 – $3.30) jumped nicely from barrier one but settled fifth before rider Kelvin Sanderson eased the 5YO to the outside approaching the home turn. Our Indulgence ($11) again ran well to finish second, with Pennine ($9.50) an eye-catching run flashing home for third.

Mr Rouquin had raced seven times in Victoria before finding his way to the Liandra Gray stable in Devonport.

"I just saw him on the Inglis digital auction and thought he would be alright for Tassie, and I bought him really cheap.

"I thought his form would be good enough to win a race or two down here," the trainer said.

Punters beached in the first

First-up from a spell, and given a lovely ride by Hayley McCarthy, Ngapali Beach ($6.50) finished powerfully to grab her first win at her third race start in the opening race.

Ngapali Beach had failed to flatter at two runs earlier this year but always travelled strongly and grabbed the lead late to win by a long head from the well-supported Periwinkle ($4.80 – $3.80) with the favourite Stars In The Night ($1.95) third after leading.

"Tonight, she travelled up behind the leaders and hit the line well.

"The gap closed at the top of the straight, and I had to go for another one, the horse is very green, but she got the job done," the winning jockey said after the race.


Racing and Sports

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au