Melbourne Cup hero Americain (USA) sired his first winner in Australia when the Stuart Gandy-trained Geegee Blackprince sprang a $17 surprise over his odds-on stablemate Gee Gee Lanett in Sunday’s Tasmanian Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Launceston.
Gee Gee Lanett looked to have the race at her mercy when she crusaded to the lead at the 300 metres but she had no answer to the finish of her stablemate who came down the centre of the track under Troy Baker.
The 2yo son of Americain (USA) finished so quickly he had two and a quarter lengths to spare from Gee Gee Lanett (Wordsmith) with Pennstock (Hinchinbrook) a neck back in third.
Making his fifth trip to the races, Geegee Blackprince advances his record one win, one second and
A homebred for Paul and Elizabeth Geard, Geegee Blackprince is the ninth foal of the couple’s star broodmare La Quita (Grand Lodge).
Though she never raced, La Quita is the gift that keeps on giving for the Gerards who purchased her in a package deal of six mares for $36,000.
She is the dam of the Tasmanian legend Geegees Blackflash (Clangalang) who reaped $1.2 million in prizemoney in a career that yielded six stakes wins in a career of 22 wins, 17 seconds and 10 thirds from 69 starts.
La Quita is also the dam of the Listed Tasmania Oaks and Listed Stutt Stakes winner Geegees Goldengirl (Wordsmith) who could not add to the deeds of her dam later in the day on Sunday when unplaced in the St Leger.
A half-sister to Group I SA Derby winner Cheviot, La Quita has a yearling colt by Wordsmith and a weanling colt by Clangalang.
She was covered by Wordsmith again last spring.
The handsome Americain (USA) stands at Swettenham Stud where his 2017 service fee has been set at $11,000.