He relished a step up to 1600 metres, surging clear under Blake Shinn to win by
more than two lengths taking his overall record to five wins and two placings
from nine starts with prizemoney just shy of $400,000.The Kris Lees trained colt now has a myriad of opportunities in Queensland during the Winter Carnival.
"They went slow early and I ended up a lot closer than I planned. I knew what I had under me in the straight and I didn't want to panic," Shinn said.
"I think he is a Derby prospect this winter."
Lees's Queensland manager Mel Eggleston revealed longer journeys might be the path for Gem Song.
"Blake told us before the race he would ride Gem Song like the best horse. That is the way it turned out," Eggleston said.
"I think Kris wants to try him as a stayer and there is always a chance to freshen him up for shorter races if that falls through."
The Gooree Stud homebred is a half-brother to stakes-winner Omega Man out of Beautiful Gem, who won nine races highlighted by the Group II MVRC Sunline Stakes and is by Arc winner Peintre Celebre (USA), who may add the required classic stamina for Gem Song to make the grade as a stayer.
Gem Song is one of three stakes-winners for Widden Stud's Group I winning Fastnet Rock stallion Your Song who covered 96 mares last spring and is priced this year at $13,750.
