The Team Wells-trained gelding won a trial at Longford earlier this month, scoring by four lengths over 730 metres and with three-kilogram claiming apprentice Taylor Johnstone aboard, the son of Wordsmith made every post a winner.

Co-trainer Dean Wells said Gee Gee Bay Watch ($5.50) had done well since his trial win and that the stable apprentice rode him perfectly.

Captain Dave ($16 into $9.50) settled fourth on the rails behind the speed and when he got out the Barry Baker-trained gelding ran on resolutely over the concluding stages to miss by less than a length.

The winner had trialled brilliantly at Longford leading to his first-up assignment and co-trainer Dean Wells said they were confident about his winning chances.

"He trialled great, and he's trained up really well this preparation and it was what we expected tonight," Wells said.

"It's been a while since he had won but I think we have worked out that we need to run him fresh to get the best from him.

"We are quite confident we can get more wins from him his preparation."

Wells said it was stable apprentice Taylor Johnstone's decision to take Gee Gee Bay Watch to the front and make them chase her and that's how it played out.

"I ride this horse in all of his work and we get along really well, so I thought it would be better to allow hm to run along kin clean air and not have to spend any energy being held up," Johnstone said.