TASMANIA’S top galloper Geegees Blackflash has firmed into equal-favourite to take out tomorrow’s Launceston Cup. Victory would earn the local hero a $100,000 bonus for winning the Hobart and Launceston Cups in the same year. The John Luttrell-trained gelding has an exceptional track record at Mowbray, having collected a win and four placings in five consecutive Launceston Cup runs. Luttrell said the eight-year-old crowd favourite was in faultless form. ‘‘His track work’s been brilliant, he’s won the Hobart Cup and he looks magnificent,’’ Luttrell said. ‘‘Everything we’ve asked him to do he’s done and he’s in top order.’’ Geegees Blackflash is the only horse to ever collect more than $1 million in prize money racing only in Tasmania. If he wins tomorrow, Geegees Blackflash will be just the second horse to take home the $100,000 bonus, after classy Victorian mare Epingle claimed the sweetener last year. It was the first horse in a decade to take out the double-header. Luttrell is optimistic Geegees Blackflash, owned by Paul and Elizabeth Geard, can repeat the feat. The $100,000 bonus would be split evenly between the trainer and owners if Geegees Blackflash was first past the post. ‘‘I don’t reckon he’s worked as good in the lead up to the Cup as he’s done this year,’’ Luttrell said. ‘‘He looks bright – he’s fit and well – and he doesn’t take his head out of the (feed) bin all day. He’s nice and relaxed about it all and he’s in good order.’’ Genuine Lad (equal favourite) and Banca Mo (third favourite) are shaping up as Geegees Blackflash’s toughest competitors in the 2400-metre event. He edged out both to claim the Hobart Cup earlier this month. Luttrell was quick to hose down speculation the horse may be retired if he wins tomorrow. ‘‘If he’s going good we’ll probably keep racing him,’’ he said. ‘‘He loves stable life and he’s going really good so we’ll just push on.’’
Champion Tasmanian galloper Geegees Blackflash with trainer John Luttrell ahead of tomorrow’s Launceston Cup. Picture: DANIEL MCCULLOCH
TASMANIA’S top galloper Geegees Blackflash has firmed into equal-favourite to take out tomorrow’s Launceston Cup.
Victory would earn the local hero a $100,000 bonus for winning the Hobart and Launceston Cups in the same year.
The John Luttrell-trained gelding has an exceptional track record at Mowbray, having collected a win and four placings in five consecutive Launceston Cup runs.
Luttrell said the eight-year-old crowd favourite was in faultless form.
‘‘His track work’s been brilliant, he’s won the Hobart Cup and he looks magnificent,’’ Luttrell said.
‘‘Everything we’ve asked him to do he’s done and he’s in top order.’’
Geegees Blackflash is the only horse to ever collect more than $1 million in prize money racing only in Tasmania.
If he wins tomorrow, Geegees Blackflash will be just the second horse to take home the $100,000 bonus, after classy Victorian mare Epingle claimed the sweetener last year.
It was the first horse in a decade to take out the double-header.
Luttrell is optimistic Geegees Blackflash, owned by Paul and Elizabeth Geard, can repeat the feat.
The $100,000 bonus would be split evenly between the trainer and owners if Geegees Blackflash was first past the post.
‘‘I don’t reckon he’s worked as good in the lead up to the Cup as he’s done this year,’’ Luttrell said.
‘‘He looks bright – he’s fit and well – and he doesn’t take his head out of the (feed) bin all day. He’s nice and relaxed about it all and he’s in good order.’’
Genuine Lad (equal favourite) and Banca Mo (third favourite) are shaping up as Geegees Blackflash’s toughest competitors in the 2400-metre event.
He edged out both to claim the Hobart Cup earlier this month.
Luttrell was quick to hose down speculation the horse may be retired if he wins tomorrow.
‘‘If he’s going good we’ll probably keep racing him,’’ he said.
‘‘He loves stable life and he’s going really good so we’ll just push on.’’
