Evergreen Tasmanian stayer Geegees Blackflash overcame the top weight of 59 kilograms to record a brave win in the 2015 Hobart Cup this afternoon.
Geegees Blackflash finished over the top of Banca Mo (pictured winning a race at Moonee Valley). Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Geegees Blackflash was settled towards the tail of the field by jockey Siggy Carr in the early stages of the race and tracked into a race on the back of the well-backed favourite Pelicano coming around the turn.
Banco Mo was in front at the 300 metre mark and looked as though he may be able to hold on and record the biggest win of his racing career to date, but Geegees Blackflash finished over the top of his rival to record his second Hobart Cup victory from Genuine Lad and Banca Mo.
Carr received many well-deserved plaudits for her ride at the conclusion of the race, but the rising trainer was quick to pay credit to the toughness of Geegees Blackflash and was clearly thrilled to have recorded the biggest win of her riding career to date.
“He jumped out so well and there was that much speed we got absolutely shuffled back,” Carr told the media after the race.
“Approaching the turn I got on the back of Pelicano because I knew it’d take me a fair way into it.
“There ended up being a run up the inside and he was wanting to take it so I just rolled with him.
“Top of the straight it was just a matter of holding off the outside horse and he was home.”
Geegees Blackflash made his racing debut in 2009 and, unlike his great rival The Cleaner, has raced exclusively in Tasmania throughout his racing career, but has still stamped himself as one of the best horses produced in the Apple Isle.
The Clangalang gelding has previously won the 2010 Tasmanian Derby, the 2012 Hobart Cup and the 2013 Launceston Cup, but trainer Greg Luttrell believes that his fast-finishing win in today’s Hobart Cup maybe the best performance of his career to date.
“What he did today was unbelievable, to come from last and beat them,” Luttrell said after the race.
“I was a bit worried up the hill but I knew he was travelling. He’s all guts. He just needed a bit of luck and he got the run through.
“What a horse.”
Geegees Blackfash’s victory in the Hobart Cup capped off a massive day for owners Paul and Elizabeth Geard, who won The Shark.com.au Handicap (1200m) with Geegees Soprano, the Listed Elwick Stakes (1100m) with Gee Gees Top Notch and the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m) with Geegees Goldengirl earlier in the day.
