Jason Collett needed to use a bit of hip and shoulder to extract Gem Song from a tight pocket in Saturday's 2yo Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens and the son of Your Song responded by charging home from near the tail of the field to keep his record at a perfect two for two.
Looking every inch a stakes-winner in waiting, the Gooree Stud homebred collared the front-runner Miss Invincible (Invincible Spirit) in final few strides to win by a half-head with the So You Think's Brilliant Mind making a promising career debut a half-length back in third.
Winning trainer Kris Lees said it will now be a decision whether to push on to Brisbane or head to the spelling paddock.
"He sat outside the leader at his first start (at Warwick Farm) then came here today, dropped back in trip and got a little further out of his ground than I expected.
"He came off the bridle a touch coming around the corner but once he saw a bit of daylight he really let down so it's a good trait that he is quite adaptable.
"I rarely bring them to town for their first start unless they show enough. He was competitive and won quite well and he has trained on the right way.
"We will see how he pulls up from today to see if we push on to Queensland or give him a break.
"I think he will make a really nice horse in time and it's great to have a Saturday winner for Gooree.
"I was out there last week and it's an amazing place. You can see why their horses are such good, tough racehorses.
A half-brother to stakes-winner Omega Man, Gem Song is out of the crack racemare Beautiful Gem.
A daughter of Peintre Celebre (USA), Beautiful Gem won nine races highlighted by the Group II Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley.
The granddam of stakes-winner Moti (Don Eduardo) and the stakes-placegetters Mongolianlightnin and It's Ben Again, Beautiful Gem was sold at the 2016 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale with Bowness Stud signing the ticket for $30,000.
She was carrying a now yearling filly by Smart Missile at the time of her sale. She missed to Wandjina in 2016 before being covered by the Newgate stallion again last spring.
