by Kyle Galley
Outstanding filly Gatesys Gem gave a classic leader's performance when she prevailed to win the $25,000 Aldebaran Park Tatlow Stakes for two-year-old trotters at Melton last Saturday night.
Gatesys Gem was a solid favourite and her task was made much easier when New South Wales visitor Rainbow Jester was slowly out from the pole position then galloped to effectively lose any chance of success.
Driver Nathan Jack was taking the reins for the first time and steadied Gatesys Gem in front. Keayang Kurki, who had previously won the Vicbred Super Series two-year-old trotting fillies' final, settled behind the leader, while Vicbred colts and geldings' winner Commodus lobbed one out and two back.
At the business end of the race, Gatesys Gem sprinted clear for a winning move and at the finish had three metres to spare over a game Vytis, who just edged out Keayang Kurki for second.
Gatesys Gem is trained by Trafalgar-based Glenn Hunter, who had driven the filly in her previous runs but on this occasion elected to give the drive to Jack.
"I was really impressed with her manners," Jack said.
"There was a query after her Vicbred performance. She was just perfect. I can't take any credit, I just jumped on. All credit to Glenn and the team.
"I whistled her up a few times. I don't think the margin did her performance any justice because she done that really easy, I never even turned the whip.
"I'm looking forward to what the future holds for her, that's for sure."
Gatesys Gem has won five of her six races and must now be considered favourite for the $75,000 Redwood Classic to be run at Maryborough, this Sunday.
Meanwhile, local trots return to Warragul this Monday afternoon, October 28.