Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Victoria Derby

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday.

Goldrush Guru on his way to a dominant win in the Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Brett Holburt/Getty Images.

South Australian galloper Goldrush Guru proved the superior stayer when winning the $2 million Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.

GOLDRUSH GURU wins the Penfolds Victoria Derby 🌟

It's a race to remember for @jamieleekah07 and Andrew Gluyas.

🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/k1P2iYAD9e

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 2, 2024

The victory was Goldrush Guru’s fourth from eight starts and took his earnings to more than $1.3 million.

Goldrush Guru is a three-year-old colt by American Pharoah (USA), he was ridden by Jamie Kah and is trained by Andrew Gluyas.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the Victoria Derby.

1st – GOLDRUSH GURU (Jamie Kah) My plan was to get back on him. Couldn’t hold him early. I was going to be wide and somehow found a little gap to slot into. Once I found the gap, he just fell asleep and gave me a beautiful run throughout. He won it a long way out and I could have stopped him for another lap, but he wanted to keep going. They’ve trained this horse to perfection, he’s looked good winning in Adelaide but obviously the class is a bit different. I didn’t know how we was going to measure up but they’ve done a good job.

2nd – SCARY (Luke Nolen) Very good effort. Just had to make the run. They got a soft middle section in that race, but started their run early and he stayed on well. He’s a stayer with promise.

3rd – CHINA SEA (Mark Zahra) He ran a great race. Settled back and picked his way through. He was a chance at the 50 (metre mark) but did a good job to run third.

4th – KINGOFWALLSTREET (Michael Dee) Great effort. Unfortunately got outgunned for a position in top three, but super effort.

5th – EL CASTELLO (Joshua Parr) Very difficult from the draw to get him around the first corner while being the widest horse. Lost ground and momentum at that point and in turn we lost a few positions. We ended up a long way back. His effort was really good.

6th – RED ACES (Jamie Mott) He’s done really well. Okay. Perhaps maybe the backup for the week just took the edge off him and he raced a little flat, but he still tried to the line.

7th – KING OF THUNDER (James McDonald) He did a really good job. He just didn’t settle one iota.

8th – SAINT EMILION (Tim Clark) He got into a good spot, but first prep, he just sort of found the jump a bit too much for him.

9th – HOT TOO GO (Jordan Childs) He ran well. He’ll come back to be a nice horse in the autumn.

10th – KEENELAND (Hugh Bowman) Delighted with the position I was in the run. It was a nice even pace. He travelled superbly but the winner was too good.

11th – POLITELY DUN (Damian Lane) Disappointing today, unfortunately. Travelled lovely in the run. Started to get in the race well from the 700 but didn’t have that usual finish that he would have.

12th – TENBURY WELLS (Blake Shinn) We had a conservative run out the back but he didn’t stay the distance.

13th – WEST INDIES (Craig Newitt) Has probably come the end of a preparation.

14th – AUTUMNHEAT (Eoin Walsh) Probably just out of his depth.

15th – PERU (Declan Bates) Just raced a bit flat today, I was beaten a long way from home.

16th – OXFORD BLUE (Ethan Brown) End of prep run, definitely and I think he may have found the Derby come up a bit soon for him.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Victoria Derby