Home town hero Geegees Blackflash gave a star-studded field a galloping lesson in the G3 AAMI Hobart Cup (2200m) at Elwick on Sunday.

Geegees Blackflash (5g Clangalang – La Quita by Grand Lodge) travelled comfortably midfield and visiting jockey Peter Mertens was content with the modest pace being set by stablemate Jay Bee’s Gee Gee.

Victorian stayer Viking Hero hit the front turning for home but was no match for Geegees Blackflash.  The John Luttrell trained galloper unleashed a scintillating turn of foot to score by over a length.  “He’s just an outstanding animal,” Luttrell claimed.  “He loves racing and I just have to make sure he keeps fit and healthy.”

Geegees Blackflash is raced by Tasmania’s most successful owners Paul and Elizabeth Geard.  He won the 2010 Tasmanian Derby and is racing better than ever with five wins on end this preparation.

His sire Clangalang (Clang) stands at Rivers End Stud in South Australia and his dam La Quita is an unraced half-sister to G1 South Australian Derby winner Cheviot (Average Game).

Geegees Blackflash is an older half-brother to this month’s Tasmanian Thousand Guineas winner Gee Gee’s La Quita (Atlantis Prince).  Their dam has a yearling filly and a filly foal by G3 winning Testa Rossa sire Wordsmith.

Geegees Blackflash became the first Tasmanian horse to win the Hobart Cup since Our Dashing Dane in 2005.  He has now won 11 races from 34 starts for over $525,700 in prizemoney.

Luttrell confirmed the gelding will head to the Launceston Cup on February 29 as long as the handicapper isn’t too harsh with a penalty for Sunday’s victory.