Exciting filly joins elite company

EXCITING youngster Gatesys Gem joined an elite sorority of fillies last night.

Winner of last week's New South Wales Trotters’ Oaks at Club Menangle, Gatesys Gem returned to the world class venue to secure the Trotters’ Derby.

As such, the Glenn Hunter-trained daughter of Aldebaran Eagle became the sixth member of the 'fairer sex' to complete the Blue Riband double since the Oaks was added to the calendar in 1999.

Jauriol was the ground breaker in 2005, followed by Right Interest in 2006, Habibti in 2013, Rockinwithattitude in 2023 and Keayang Zahara last season.

Gaining the perfect trip from the pole in the Oaks, Gatesys Gem overcame barrier nine during her latest Group One triumph.

Driven a treat by champion horseman Luke McCarthy, the three-year-old cruised to a 12-and-a-half metre win from fellow Victorian raider, Commodus.

Also prepared south of the border, Miss Ohana was a metre-and-a-half away third.

"What a tremendous win," Hunter said. "I brought her up for the Oaks, and given how well she went I stayed on for the Derby.

"I pretty much looked at the Derby as a free throw at the stumps and it couldn't have worked out better for her."

Rating 1:57.5 over 2300 metres, Gatesys Gem took her record to an impressive eight wins and three seconds from 12 starts for earnings of $157,981.

"She will go home and have a couple of weeks off now," Hunter said. "She's got plenty of big races to aim for in the second half of the season such as the Vicbred, Crown, Oaks and Derby."