Gytrash to take on Nature Strip in Concorde Stakes in bid to boost Everest claims
South Australian speedster Gytrash has already conquered the nation’s best sprinters and trainer Gordon Richards has mapped out a course he hopes will take the gelding to The Everest.
SuperRacing
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperRacing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Speed machine Gytrash is set to clash with the world’s top-ranked sprinter Nature Strip when he resumes in the Concorde Stakes at Royal Randwick next month.
Morphettville trainer Gordon Richards has opted to target the Group 3 sprint over 1000m on September 5 as he bids for a berth in the $15 million The Everest at Royal Randwick in October.
Richards will seek permission to gallop Gytrash with talented stablemates Bold Star and Garner between races at Morphettville on August 15, before sending The Goodwood runner-up to Sydney for a trial.
Stream over 50 sports on-demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“If we are looking for a start in The Everest it is best to go to Sydney and prove he can go that (clockwise) way,” Richards said.
Gytrash, which gave Richards his first Group 1 when triumphant in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February, has been back in work for a few weeks, as have Bold Star and Garner.
“I’ve been very happy with all three,” Richards said.
“Bold Star was unlucky not to run a place in the Goodwood and he went just as well as Gytrash the last time I galloped them between races in February.”
Garner and Bold Star will be sent to Melbourne with the Group 3 The Heath over 1100m at Caulfield on August 29 being considered for their return.
“They might both start in The Heath and then we will work out which way they go after that,” Richards said.
MORE RACING
The SA stars set to light up new season
Jockeys stood down in major COVID-19 scare
How Dabernig will uphold proud Lindsay Park legacy
Bold Star won the Listed Kensington over 1000m at Flemington in January, having had wins at Flemington and Moonee Valley in his previous three starts.
Garner, a winner at Caulfield in September and Flemington on Melbourne Cup day, had four runs in his most recent campaign for a win in the Listed Redelva Stakes at Morphettville, second in the Group 2 Euclase and Listed race placings at Morphettville and Flemington.
Having tasted Group 1 success, Richards has a hunger for more feature victories.
“We were concentrating on the Newmarket with Gytrash and the Lightning was a lead up race,” he said. “When he won so convincingly against really good horses, it didn’t sink in until we got on a plane to Perth for the sales.
“We realised in the air what we had done and when he landed in Perth I had 250 text messages and all the time in Perth the phone was going off. I could live with that again.”