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Qld's best filly Gem Of Scotland returns in QTIS Jewel

12 March 2020

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By Glenn Davis

Gem Of Scotland will be out to cement her position as the State’s best three-year-old filly when she makes an overdue return in the $300,000 QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The Rex Lipp-trained Gem Of Scotland will be having her first start since scoring against her own age at Eagle Farm in mid-October.

Gem Of Scotland was to be make her comeback in the QTIS Jewel Prelude at Doomben last month but her return was delayed.

“Missing that run won’t worry her as she had a trial before that and had another jump out last week which I was very pleased with,” Lipp said.

Gem  Of Scotland grabbed the mantle as the State’s best three-year-old filly when she carried 59 kilograms to beat a top-class field including recent winners Eagle Farm winners Ballistic Boy and The Sinner at Doomben last start.

Gem Of Scotland was not eligible for the Magic Millions Guineas in January but was chasing a wildcard entry when an injury setback ended her summer campaign.

“She had an accident at the track and hurt her leg when it got caught up in the day stalls,” Lipp said.

“It wasn’t serious and I could have started her that week but she’s too valuable and I didn’t want to take any risks with her.”

Gem Of Scotland has started nine times for six wins and two seconds with her only unplaced run when sixth in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm in May.

She returned after the winter and had three starts for two more wins and a second to Rockhampton filly Better Reflection at Doomben in September.

Lipp has no doubt Gem Of Scotland is the best three-year-old filly in Queensland and concedes Alligator Blood holds the mantle as the State’s top three-year-old.

Lipp believes Gem Of Scotland should have gone unbeaten last campaign.

“She only had three starts last time in and she had no luck when she ran second to Better Reflection,” he said.

Lipp rates Better Reflection and last year’s QTIS Jewel winner The Odyssey as the main dangers to Gem Of Scotland whose future is uncertain until after the Three-Year-Old QTIS Jewel.

“I want to get the QTIS Jewel out of the way before I decide whether she goes to Sydney for the autumn or stays here for the winter,” Lipp said.

“There’s plenty of suitable races for her coming up in Sydney but the (Group 2) Queensland Guineas isn't far off either,” he said.

Gem Of Scotland carried big weights at her past two starts and will appreciate the big drop to 55kgs under the set-weights conditions.

Lipp is unconcerned with a heavy track rating as the filly is proven in the conditions.

Racing Queensland webnews   March 12