Gillespie writes himself into the history books

By Duane Ranger

Tim Gillespie and his trotting filly, Shegotsass, created Queensland Racing history shortly after 2pm yesterday (Tuesday).

By winning the first ever 2-year-old trotters race to be staged in Queensland, the duo also created a new track and State record.

After dealing to the geldings by 5.9 metres owner/trainer/driver, Gillespie, said he was proud to have steered home the $1.40 favourite in such an auspicious race.

He then praised Racing Queensland for initiating the 2-year-old trotting filly concept into the Sunshine State.

“It’s quite an honour to have a horse just line up in the race, let alone train, drive and own the winner. Racing Queensland needs to be applauded for promoting the concept.

“This filly will now target the Springboard Series initiated by the Governing body which starts later this month. This is the reason why I bought the filly – to line up in races like that,” Minden-based Gillespie said.

“I know a lot of trainers are very happy with this new direction,” he added.

Gillespie said he bought Shegotsass from Burwood Stud when she was a yearling.

“I actually went there to buy another horse but this girl really struck my eye. She was really well put together and her conformation was superb.

“She ticked all of the boxes so I bought her and left the other one behind. That’s how much she impressed me,” Gillespie said.

The 54-year-old horseman paid $5,000 for Shegotsass. Yesterday’s three-horse Silks Trackside Trot was worth just over $3,000.

“She’s a daughter of Down Under Muscles and is out of a Majestic Son mare named Joyce Image. Speed is her greatest asset so far.” said Gillespie who has been training for 30-plus years.

He said Shegotsass had won all six of her Albion Park trials going into her debut run.

“She did all she had to today. She won with a sedate 2:19 mile rate. She’s gone much quicker than that. It was just a Learner’s race and I just wanted to make sure she did things right. I’m very pleased with the debut run,” he said.

Shegotsass stepped well from gate one and Gillespie sat her in the trail until he made his move down the back straight the last time.

At about the 600m he gave his filly a tad more rein and then she ran away to win the 1,628m standing start event in a new race record time of 2:20.6. Her sectionals were 37.7, 36, 32.3, and 31.4.

“We will now focus our attention on the first set of Springboard heats later this month. They go through until the Final in August. I’m keen to see how she develops.

“With more racing and education I’m sure she will make a really nice 3-year-old next season. I’m hoping she will be good enough to campaign down south,” Gillespie said.

“I think there might be a race for her next week and if there is I don’t mid starting her from a 10 metre handicap,” he added

Gillespie works a team of four. He said the lightly raced Sir Bulski was an improver, while his nine-win pacer, Majordoit was his stable star... for now.

Shegotsass was bred by A. H. and B. Humphrey.

Photo by @DanRacingWrap