3 minute read

Talented mare Geegees Goldengirl has a good record on the Devonport track with a win in last year’s $100,000 Simons Design Centre Devonport Cup testament to her ability to handle the synthetic surface.

Surprisingly today she will be having only her second start on the Devonport track but it is an anomaly that her trainer Stuart Gandy believes is of little consequence in terms of her chances of making it back-to-back wins in the Devonport club’s premier event.

“There has been no reason to run the mare at Devonport since she won last year’s Cup and by winning that race she has already proven she handles the synthetic track,” Gandy said.

Geegees Goldengirl dominated as a three-year-old winning the Strutt Stakes and Tasmanian Oaks over 2100 metres and last season she was second in the Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) after winning the Devonport Cup (1880m).

Gandy has followed the same program as last year leading up to the Devonport Cup.

The mare opened with a creditable seventh behind Tshahitsi in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) followed by an eye-catching fourth to Admiral in the weight-for-age Conquering Stakes (1400m) in which she was beaten less than two lengths.

She goes into today’s race on the back of a seventh in the weight-for-age Tasmanian Stakes over 1600m in Launceston but there were legitimate excuses for her finishing over four lengths from the winner.

“Mares usually need a bit longer to come to hand each season and that’s the case with Goldengirl.

“On paper her last run might look a bit ordinary but there were excuses and I expect her to be hard to beat tomorrow.”

"I've mixed up her training routine this time in and she has relished going for a swim and taking strolls through the dunes at Five Mile Beach."

Jockey Siggy Carr partnered Geegees Baritone to a track record-breaking win in the Sheffield Cup (1650m) at Spreyton on Boxing Day but she remained committed to Geegees Goldengirl.

“I had already committed to Geegees Goldengirl but even if I had an option I would have stuck with her,” Carr said.

Despite being the reigning Devonport Cup winner she is quoted at a very liberal $14 with most corporate bookies.

Jerilderie Letter was installed $3.40 favourite in early markets following two top efforts in weight-for-age races but he hasn’t won since emerging triumphant in last year’s Tasmanian Derby.

The Darren Weir-trained Leica Day is the only interstate invader but he has no form on synthetic tracks and he comes off a minor placing on his home track at Warrnambool but Weir is a genius at targeting winnable races for his tier two gallopers

Longford trainer John Blacker has always had a big opinion of Powercharged and his recent form suggests he is a live chance to give the trainer his third Devonport Cup, having won with Pral D’Or in 1998 and in 2010 with quality mare With Decorum.

Peter Staples Devonport Cup tips (race 8):

1 -GEEGEES GOLDENGIRL (4).

2 - Geegees Baritone (7).

3 - Jerilderie Letter (3).

4 – Powercharged (5).