Having joined an elite sorority earlier in the season, classy youngster Gatesys Gem is aiming to assume her position among another rare group of fillies this weekend.
Taken north last May, Gatesys Gem became just the sixth member of the fairer sex to complete the New South Wales Trotters’ Derby and Oaks double since the latter was added to the calendar in 1999.
Jauriol was the groundbreaker in 2005, followed by Right Interest in 2006, Habibti in 2013, Rockinwithattitude in 2023 and Keayang Zahara last season.
As for her pending attempt to be among the select, Gatesys Gem is looking to add the Victoria Trotters’ Oaks to her growing collection to become the 13th to capture the nation’s two premier Trotters’ Oaks.
As mentioned earlier, Gatesys Gem managed the first half of the equation at Club Menangle on May 17 before trainer Glenn Hunter sent her for a well-deserved spell.
The daughter of Aldebaran Eagle returned with an impressive victory at Melton a fortnight ago, beating older rivals with ease.
“I was very happy with her first run back,” Hunter said. “It was more of a relief than anything else as she had a few issues early in her prep.
“It was nothing major but enough to miss a bit of work.
“She has come along great since then and I’ve got her where I want her going into the Oaks.
“The draw is in her favour and will certainly help her, but as for how it is used on the night, I’ll leave the tactics up to Nathan (Jack, driver).”
