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Geegees Gemstone proved he could match it with the best stepping up to open class for the first time and scoring a decisive win in the Members Hcp over 1100m in Launceston on Wednesday night.
Well supported from $3.90 into $2.80, Geegees Gemstone was given the run of the race by Siggy Carr, travelling third to the turn before grabbing the lead and winning by 3/4 of a length.
"He's a quirky horse, a difficult horse, he keeps you thinking and keeps you on your toes, but he's got a heap of ability and I'm just thrilled for the family and Elizabeth (Geard), I know they've got a really nice horse going forward," trainer Stuart Gandy said.
Geegees Gemstone is unbeaten at two runs this time in, first-up he scored in a BM60. His overall record is eight starts for four wins and a third.
"This campaign, I think we will just keep him happy and race in suitable races but in the future, I think we could have some fun in some good races."
Runner-up Jaguar Stone ($3.90) rattled home at her first start from a spell and should be winning very soon.
Siggy Carr made it a race-to-race double when Vintage Diesel made it two in a row with another strong performance in the BM68 (2100m).
Heavily backed to start the $2.60 favourite, Vintage Diesel gave the tear-away leaders a big start at the 600m but ran home strongly to score from A Wee Nip ($3.10) with Metaverse third ($6).
"He had to do the donkey work from the 600m by himself and the others followed him, and he's done a good job.
"He ran his last 600 (metres) pretty quick for a 2100m race. We've got him in good shape, and even though the margin was only short tonight, I thought he was impressive," trainer John Blacker said.
Royal was very tough
Despite an impressive first-up performance, trainer Rowan Hamer has no big plans for his smart galloper Royal And Tough ($3.80), who proved far too good for his rivals in the BM60 (1200m).
Hamer said Royal And Tough has had his fair share of issues and is likely to have just a couple more runs before being tipped out for a spell.
"It's great to get him back, last prep he had a lot of issues with his wind, and he was a bit disappointing.
"He's been a bit of a handful, the first time he scoped clean was his last trial, so hopefully, after tonight, he will scope clean again," Hamer said.
"I respect Rowan for putting me on, he had 62.5kg so he had every right to claim but he's a classy horse, and he really showed that tonight.
"From barrier one, I thought it might be tricky, but outside the leader, I couldn't complain, and he finished off stronger than ever," jockey Codi Jordan said.
Jordan and Hamer combined to make it a winning double for the night when Chorizama ($3.60) made it two wins in a row, leading all the way to take out the night's final race.
