Last year, it was Keayang Zahara who stamped herself as a star of the trotting ranks by conquering both the NSW Trotters Oaks and Derby.

This year, it’s Gatesys Gem’s turn to shine.

Backing up from her tough victory in the Group 1 Haras Des Trotteurs NSW Trotters Oaks just one week earlier, the Glenn Hunter-trained filly returned to Menangle on Saturday night and did it again,  this time against the boys in the Group 1 Success Stud NSW Trotters Derby.

And not only did she win the feature, she went even quicker than Keayang Zahara did last year.

Gatesys Gem clocked a mile rate of 1:57.5, carving 3.5 seconds off the time Keayang Zahara posted in the same race 12 months earlier and firmly announcing herself as one of the most exciting young trotters in the country.

For Hunter, who trains in the small Gippsland town of Trafalgar, the win capped off a dream interstate campaign.

“She was brilliant,” Hunter said. “We thought we would be pretty competitive in the Oaks, but once she won the Oaks and went so well, we thought we would hang around for the Derby. We thought she would do well, improving from the week she had here, and it all turned out amazing."

Driven to perfection once again by Luke McCarthy, Gatesys Gem settled beautifully before letting down with a powerful burst in the back straight to sweep to the front, and this time, there was no easing up late.

"Luke is the best,” Hunter praised. “If he’s available, you would be crazy not to put him on. He showed that in the Derby when he was able to lob behind the leader then three-fence."

Hunter has stuck to being humble about comparing his filly to star mare Keayang Zahara.

"I would have never thought to compare her to Keayang Zahara. When she was at Menangle on Oaks night, I asked to go see her and pat her. She is just something different altogether."

The night was made even more special with the presence of the breeders of the Aldebaran Eagle-sired filly.

"It was also special as the breeders (Michael Hughes and Ray Voumard) were there on Derby night and got to see her win."

The result wasn’t just a personal triumph for Hunter and the breeders, but also a special moment for his family, with his mum Rhonda, who owns the filly, travelling up to Sydney with her son for the week to see her race.

"I am very happy and very surprised. I don’t often go to the races, so to be there for these wins has been incredible. She is an amazing horse. It was a fairytale," the proud owner and mother said.

After the Oaks, Hunter said the Derby would be tougher from gate nine and against the boys, but made it clear, “They will know she is there.”

They certainly did.

With her NSW campaign complete, Gatesys Gem will now return home for a well-earned break, with the focus shifting to the major Victorian features later this year.

“Most of the important Victorian races are at the end of the year, so she will have a short spell and prepare for those races.”

 

Photos: Club Menangle (PacePix)