The owners of G3 Tasmanian Derby winner Geegees Blackflash have confirmed their three-year-old will not be leaving the state to be trained by Gai Waterhouse.

Paul and Elizabeth Geard celebrated their biggest win as owners when Geegees Blackflash powered home to defeat the Waterhouse-trained Kinnersley in the Derby just over two weeks ago.

Two days later Waterhouse contacted the Geards and suggested their horse could be very competitive at city level in Sydney and Melbourne and that they might consider sending the gelding to the Waterhouse stable.

“Gai congratulated us on the win and praised our horse,” Paul Geard said.  “But we are very happy racing our horses in Tasmania and if we do decide to travel interstate our trainer John Luttrell will take them away.”

Gee Gees Blackflash (3g Clangalang – La Quita by Grand Lodge) started at $19 in the Derby despite finishing short-neck seconds to Excuse My French (French Deputy) in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas and Hobart Guineas leading up to the classic.

His sire Clangalang (Clang) was a G1 winner of the AJC Derby and Epsom Handicap before retiring to Eliza Park in 2004.  The Derby winner’s dam La Quita is an unraced half-sister to Cheviot (Average Game) who was a G1 winner of the South Australian Derby and G2 VATC Sandown Cup.  She has a 2yo colt and a yearling filly by Atlantis Prince (Tagula).

Geegees Blackflash is spelling at Broadmarsh where he will stay until the end of April.