Victoria Derby winner Goldrush Guru to head on Australian Guineas path after Durbridge Stakes at Morphettville

Victory Derby winner Goldrush Guru is on the pursuit of another Group 1 win this autumn which begins on Saturday in the Durbridge Stakes at Morphettville.

Goldrush Guru is on the pursuit of another Group 1 win, and that road begins on Saturday in the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.

A brilliant win in the Victoria Derby (2500m) saw the “Guru” announce himself as a horse with star quality, and a 12-week break that followed has seen the classy 3YO return to work stronger, as trainer Andrew Gluyas targets the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1.

“He’s great. We are really happy,” Gluyas said.

“His break was enough and we feel like we’ve got him at a nice place, he’s a lovely horse.

“There’s no doubt he’s strengthened up, mentally he’s a similar style of horse, he’s on his game and interested in what we are offering him.

“He’s definitely matured and hopefully he can mature with his racing as well.”

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

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After Saturday’s Durbridge Stakes, Goldrush Guru will head to Melbourne for a second-up run, which will lead into the Australian Guineas third-up, with a tilt at the Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick a possibility in April.

“Second-up he can either run at Caulfield (February 8), or alternatively, the CS Hayes (1400m) which is probably the way we will go, on the 15th at Flemington,” he said.

Gluyas hasn’t ruled out the South Australian Derby (2500m) as an option for Goldrush Guru in May, dependent on how the preparation unfolds.

“That would all depend on how he’s gone, back in the day we did it with Rebel Raider and it didn’t work out for him,” he said.

“We came back and raced here in the Chairman’s and Derby. It’s definitely an option for us, we’ll just see how things pan out.”

Victoria Derby winner Goldrush Guru resumes in the Durbridge Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos via Getty Images

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While Goldrush Guru will peak once he’s pushed toward a mile and beyond, Gluyas is unsure what to expect at the colt’s first try over 1100m at stakes grade in the Durbridge, where he’ll be ridden by Jason Holder from barrier ten (with scratchings).

“It’s unknown. His couple of runs early last prep were over the 1250m in inferior class, coming out of the two stakes races at the end of last prep this is probably his first real test against the older horses,” he said.

“It will be nice to have this under his belt, perhaps his class might prevail, but we’ll have to see how that comes together – it’s a bit of an unknown”

The Gluyas stable is buoyed by the return of their Group 1-winning colt, who is a $9 chance with Sportsbet fixed odds for Saturday’s Durbridge Stakes.

“It gives everyone a bit of a spring in the step, he’s a lovely horse, and when you’ve got quality horses around you expect everyone to be on their game,” Gluyas said.

“He does take a lot of attention, we are all quite proud to be preparing him.”

Originally published as Victoria Derby winner Goldrush Guru to head on Australian Guineas path after Durbridge Stakes at Morphettville