Stuart Gandy's ongoing recovery would have been boosted by Gee Gee Josie's impressive victory on Wednesday.
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Kicked by a horse earlier this year, the Brighton trainer couldn't make it to Mowbray to witness the win in the first feature two-year-old race of the season, the $30,000 Alexandra Plate.
Siggy Carr rode an excellent race over 1120 metres, timing her late charge to perfection.
Mystic Journey's regular jockey Anthony Darmanin looked to have positioned Vivilici perfectly when hitting the front at the final turn before Gee Gee Josie demonstrated her impressive potential, winning by a head in 1.07:57.
A winner in the first race on Sidorova, Craig Newitt made a poor start from the outside gate on favourite and debut winner Le Cadeau before fighting back late on to take third for Spreyton trainer Leanne Gaffney.
Gandy's stable foreman Brayden Rodgers said the Wordsmith filly appeared to have learned plenty from a disappointing last start when finishing fourth.
"She went good," he said. "She got a bit lost first up but we added winkers and that did the job."
Carr, of Oatlands, was even more forthcoming in her praise.
"She improved out of sight, and gave me a good feel tonight," she said.
"I was pretty confident I would have a horse at the end and she was very professional. She seems to be taking steps forward so we're on the right line."
The winning horse was one of four from the Broadmarsh Gee Gee team of Paul and Elizabeth Geard who had enjoyed eight winners at the past four meetings.
She improved out of sight ... she seems to be taking steps forward so we're on the right line
- Siggy Carr
Origin defence
Craig Newitt will be hoping to get back to winning ways when he heads to Queensland this weekend.
The Devonport jockey will again team up with Brendon McCoull to represent Tasmania in the state of origin jockeys challenge in Brisbane, seeking to defend the title they won last year.
Races will take place at Doomben and Eagle Farm on Friday and Saturday with more than 170 Group 1 winners between this year's contestants.
Melbourne Cup winner Michael Rodd returns to NSW duties alongside Kathy O'Hara while Jim Byrne and Matt McGillivray will again represent Queensland