The Victorian Hunter is so in awe of Tracy The Jet (Love you), he made a surprising move and chose to send his stylish young trotting filly Gatesys Gem (Aldebaran Eagle) against the boys in the NZ Trotting Derby at Addington on Friday evening instead of taking on Tracy again in the Oaks.
“The way I looked at it was we couldn’t beat Tracy because she’s in the zone and won so easily last week (at The Ascent),” he said.
“We finished second to her last week and beat the boys, so I thought we at least had a chance of winning the Derby.
“I don’t think I’ll know until the race if we did the right thing.”
Tracy The Jet drew the pole and cost $1.25 to win the Oaks.
Gatesys Gem went wide at gate seven in the Derby and is $6 third favorite behind Meant To Be ($2.15, gate 11) and Tarragindi ($5, five). Youneverknow (gate six) also costs $6.
Luke McCarthy, who is in town to pilot Kingman again in the Christian Cullen, will replace Nathan Jack, who rode Gatesys Gem last week.
McCarthy rode her to the Group 1 big double, NSW Oaks and Derby, at Menangle in May.
While one of Gatesys Gem’s biggest assets is its early speed, Hunter isn’t sure if using it from long range over 2600 meters is the best plan.
“I’ll leave it to Luke. He knows her well,” he said. “The 2600 meters increases the risk of burning out prematurely.”
Hunter said Gatesys Gem had done well since her fight, albeit well held, in second place to Tracy The Jet at The Ascent.
“She has continued to build this campaign with each run, as I expected after an interrupted preparation,” he said.
“She loves it here, and so do I. Hopefully she will run another big race to end an unforgettable trip.”
Hunter confirmed Gatesys Gem would return home next, but admitted he had considered extending the trip to Auckland.
“She’s the favorite for a big race up there, but she’s never raced that way before and I only had two weeks to get her ready. I couldn’t do that to her,” he said.
Hunter said the experience of being part of NZ Cup Week would stay with him forever.
“It was great. We just don’t have anything near this house,” he said.
“To come and watch was fantastic, but to be part of it and see the filly run so well is even more amazing.”
For full race entries, click here.
Through Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia
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