Gatesys Gem takes the Oaks Derby double

Outstanding filly Gatesys Gem (Aldebaran Eagle) followed up with her win in the New South Wales Oaks the week before with another copybook display to take out the $75,000 Group 1 Success Stud New South Wales Trotters Derby at Menangle Park on Saturday night.

Gatesys Gem trotted safely from her wide barrier with driver Luke McCarthy allowing the two leaders San Juan Mountain and Commodus to set the pace. However these two probably went a bit quicker than their drivers would have wanted.

GATESYS GEM MAY 17 REPLAY NSW TROTTERS OAKS

Chris Alford on Commodus was finally able to wrest away the lead from San Juan with Gatesys Gem who had done no work poised right behind them. McCarthy on Gatesys Gem took no chances in the back straight when he come off the fence to challenge Commodus and they moved well clear of their opponents.

It was obvious that Gatesys Gem was travelling by far the better as they straightened and she lengthened stride to record an easy win over a courageous Commodus with outsider Miss Ohana finishing on for third.

Gatesys Gem mile rate of 1.57.5 for the 2300 metre journey was due in part from the fast pace set by Commodus.

In winning, Gatesys Gem repeated the feats of the fillies Keayang Zahara in 2024 and Rockinwithattitude in 2023 in taking out both the NSW Derby and Oaks features.

She is trained by Glenn Hunter who is based at Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley region.

Last season Gatesys Gem was Victoria’s leading two year old trotter but frustratingly for her connections she could not win a Group 1 event. Now in the space of two weeks she has won two such classics and must now be considered for the feature races of the second half of the year which will include Victoria’s Derby and Oaks. She has won just over $157,000 in a career of 11 starts for seven wins and one placing.

The other trotters feature on the night the $25,000 Bulli Trotters Cup saw a major upset when rank outsider Sunny Gee (Majestic Son) scored a thrilling win. Perfectly rated by Josh Gallagher, Sunny Gee who has been a prolific performer on the Menangle trotter circuit without much luck stormed through the pack in a blanket finish and hold off London To A Brick who had to come from the rear of the field with Courage Stride taking out third place.

It was a capacity field of 14 runners which was one of the largest fields assembled at the Menangle track and made for a great spectacle. The only main disappointment was the performance of favourite Hot To Trot who galloped at the start and lost all chance.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink