In-form Gem looking for more city luck

An in-form Geiger Gem will look to claim back-to-back wins at Ascot when he starts in the $24,500 TABTouch Handicap (1500m) tomorrow.

The four-year-old gelding saluted the judges last month across 1400m to claim a fourth career victory from 19 starts.

Jason Whiting will once again take the ride when Geiger Gem jumps from barrier nine against a number of other provincial race regulars.

Capel trainer Lou Luciani said he was drawn a bit awkwardly.

“He is going well and I expect him to run OK,” he said.

“But the field is a little stronger than when he won the other so I am expecting him to have a bit more of a challenge.

“He seems to have trained on well.”

Luciani said Geiger Gem’s first few runs were not bad, he was just unlucky.

“He had a few things go well for him the other day,” he said.

“Sometimes when those things do not go to plan it is hard to win.”

Luciani said if Geiger Gem came out of tomorrow’s race well he would aim for a Saturday meet.

“There is a race in 10 days time which would suit,” he said.

“Otherwise he will stay as a mid-week horse.”

Luciani said he was pleased with how the season had gone so far.

“Most of the older ones have just about reached their mark, so we are hoping some of the young ones come on,” he said.

Luciani said he had nine horses in work at the moment.