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Brighton-trainer Stuart Gandy has earned a reputation as a master of early-season two-year-olds, so it’s no surprise he will saddle up one of the main fancies in Sunday’s Listed Kevin Sharkie Elwick Stakes (1100m).
Brighton-trainer Stuart Gandy has earned a reputation as a master of early-season two-year-olds, so it's no surprise he will saddle up one of the main fancies in Sunday's Listed Kevin Sharkie Elwick Stakes (1100m).
Gandy has won two of the last four instalments of the Elwick Stakes, and looking to make it three, is unbeaten filly Geegees Mistruth .
The daughter of Wordsmith and Miss Mana has established herself as the best of the raced local brigade through her wins in the first 2YO race of the season, and the $50,000 Alfa Bowl.
She hasn't raced since that Alfa Bowl victory on 13 December, having been subsequently scratched from the Alexandra Plate in Hobart on 5 January.
"She just had a tiny bit of discharge on race morning, and it turned out to be very minor," Stuart Gandy said.
"She looks super well now and is ready for Sunday."
Gee Gee Josie (2020) and Needs Sugar (2023) are Gandy's two previous Elwick Stakes winners, and the trainer says that the pair were more mature in their first racing season.
"Type-wise, Geegees Mistruth is probably not a two-year-old; she's very big.
"Just her mannerisms suggest she's not really a two-year-old. She's still learning, but she has plenty of ability and a big, strong stride on her."
Geegees Mistruth has been backed from $2.70 into $2.20, vying for favouritism with the Ben, Will and Jd Hayes -trained Victorian filly Viola Vivace, who has a Mornington maiden win to her credit on 28 December.
The last interstate-trained horse to win the Elwick Stakes was Bush Aviator for Danny O'Brien back in 2012.
Geard Family Blackflash
Almost 12 months to the day from her Elwick Stakes win, Gandy hopes that Needs Sugar's second career win is another big one when she steps out in the $75,000 Geard Family Blackflash(1100m) for three-year-olds.
After having good early market support, Needs Sugar was scratched at the gates from last week's Ladbrokes Carpet Charge, forcing the trainer to change his original plans.
"It was pretty devastating last week when she was scratched from the Carpet Charge, but she took no damage from it; she's working super; her run before that was really good," said the trainer, adding that Needs Sugar has jumped out to the satisfaction of stewards at Brighton, following last week's barrier mishap.
Despite missing the run last Wednesday, Gandy says that the Blackflash has always been part of Needs Sugar's plans.
"The plan was originally that the 10-day back-up would really suit her, so we were pretty keen to run last week.
"She's just a horse that, like her mother (Galeocerdo), she needs the work up to her."
On the calendar for the second time in 2024, the Blackflash has attracted an even-looking mix of 3YOs; however, in a field of 11, there are interestingly only two males, Red Sphere and Spring Eagle.
Winning Edge Presentations Thousand Guineas
Listed Tasmanian Guineas Winner Wings of Song is expected to add the $75,000 Winning Edge Presentations Thousand Guineas (1600m), according to the early betting market.
The three-year-old filly is the $1.70 favourite, now racing in the name of trainer Adam Trinder at Latrobe after the Trinder team were stabling the horse for Victorian trainer Patrick Payne when she won in Hobart on 5 January.
Gandy will saddle up Golden Meadow ($16) in the mile feature for three-year-old fillies, who finished third in a 1400m class 2 on the Tasmanian Guineas program.
"Her last two starts over 1400m, she's been hitting the line really well.
"She's unproven at the trip, but she's very consistent, a lovely filly.
"At this time of year, you only get one chance at it. I'm sure she'll be finding the line. It's just whether she's up to those better milers."
