DERBY WINNER FOR A DERBY WINNER

Clangalang’s Blackflash wins Tasmanian Derby-G3

Clangalang (below) is clearly one of the most underrated sires in Australia but he’s a very popular stallion for Apple Isle breeders.
While the Australian Derby/Epsom winner is a constant source of winners throughout the mainland, his strike rate in Tasmania is sensational.
Geegees Blackflash (below) is a great example: the John Luttrell trained 3YO has now raced on 16 occasions for four wins and seven placings, but had to contend with the runnerup prize – behind Victorian interloper Excuse My French – at his previous two black type starts: the Tasmanian and Hobart Guineas.
However, yesterday he turned the tables, taking out the Cadbury Tasmanian Guineas in most confident fashion.
Excuse my French – but that’s bloody terrific.

Here is ANZ Bloodstock News’ take on the race:
Geegees Backflash upheld local honour with a smooth victory in the $200,000 Tasmanian Derby-G3 at Elwick.
Waiting with until heads were turned for home, Geegees Backflash came with a strong run in the straight to go past Sydney visitor Kinnersley in the final 100m and win going away.
Paul and Elizabeth Geard’s homebred son of Clangalang has a Derby pedigree, being out of a half-sister to the South Australian Derby winner Cheviot, while Clangalang himself won the Australian Derby.
Trained by John Luttrell, Geegees Backflash had run well in both the Tasmanian and Hobart Guineas in the lead up to the Derby and clearly relished the extra trip here.
“This is a turning point in my training career – that’s for sure,” Luttrell told Peter Staples later. “I was on the brink of pulling the pin but Paul Geard convinced me to keep at it and here we are leading back the Tasmanian Derby winner - it’s bloody amazing,” he said.
Clangalang stands at Eliza Park Stud in Victoria where his fee in 2009 was advertised at $5,500.

And this is what Breednet thought:

AJC Australian Derby winner Clangalang passed a career milestone on Saturday when producing his first stakes winner after 3YO gelding Geegees Blackflash took out the Tasmanian Derby in Hobart.
Allowed to settle midfield by jockey Lee Smith, Geegees Blackflash finished full of running to cruise past Sydneysider Kinnersley to take the 2200m feature event by the best part of a length.
A homebred for Mr and Mrs Paul Geard, Geegees Blackflash has the overall record of four wins and seven placings from 16 starts with prizemoney of $197,545.
Geegees Blackflash is one of two winners from the unraced Grand Lodge (USA) mare La Quita, a half-sister to Group One SAJC Australian Derby winner Cheviot.