Goldrush Guru delivers Andrew Gluyas his fifth Hill Smith Stakes win at Morphettville

Goldrush Guru has staked his claim for a Victoria Derby tilt after cruising to a soft win in the Hill Smith Stakes at Morphettville.

Goldrush Guru scores a strong win in the Hill Smith Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Goldrush Guru has staked his claim for a Victoria Derby tilt, cruising to a soft win in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Jumping as a heavily-backed $1.50 favourite with Sportsbet, Goldrush Guru settled midfield under gun hoop Jason Holder before looming up with the race at his mercy with 300m to travel.

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The American Pharoah colt kicked clear to win by two lengths, handing trainer Andrew Gluyas his fifth win in the feature for three-year-olds.

“It was a good win, he travelled good and presented himself,” Holder said.

“I got there a bit early, but he was full of running, I let him go and when I asked him he went bang, and I thought ‘they want to be good to beat me’.

“I just really wanted to keep him in his comfort zone. The guys on him have done a really good job, like Mollie (Knowles) and Caitlin Jones have got him to where he’s at now and he’s showing the rewards, he’s a nice, serious racehorse.”

The favourite Goldrush Guru puts the jets on to take out the Hill Smith Stakes at Morphettville 🚀

Jason Holder rides an early double ✌️ pic.twitter.com/9ZIpmyKb8v

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 19, 2024

The win gives Gluyas and connections plenty to ponder, with the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) sure to be considered.

Last year’s Hill Smith winner, stablemate Air Assault, went to the race, but a slight change in scheduling sees a shorter turnaround time this year.

The Hill Smith has been a happy hunting ground for Holder, who secured his fourth win in the race, and back-to-back wins after triumphing in last year’s edition.

The win brought up an early race-to-race double for the hoop, who steered promising filly Royal Majesty to victory in race 2.

The feel good story of the day was France’s Boy, the 11-year-old veteran is no stranger to the winner’s stall, and recorded an incredible 18th win at gigantic odds of $51 for trainers John Hickmott and Carrina Riggs.

The gelding has now had a remarkable 128 starts, accumulating over $690k across the journey.

He made his debut way back in January 2017 – clearly the zest for racing remains strong.

"He's old, he's tired, but he's courageous and he wins!"

France's Boy leads all the way to win at the big price 🙌

Brett Davis nails the call 👏 pic.twitter.com/9TkEMqwSk2

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 19, 2024

Significantly, the upset result also saw apprentice jockey Zoe Lloyd land her first metropolitan win, taking her career tally to 33 winners.

“It’s actually amazing that I got to do it for Johnny and Carrina, they’ve been a massive support, especially now that I’ve started in town,” Lloyd said.

“They’ve given me a ride every meet since I’ve started and it’s even better that it was on old France’s Boy.”

The pair sprung out of the gates and took up the lead in the 0-68 Handicap over 1600m, fending off challenges from Cullen Skink and Merchant Boss in the closing stages.

It was also a fruitful day for Taylor Johnstone, the Tasmanian apprentice notched a winning double aboard Winning Revolution and Pearl Adios.

It capped a big 48 hours for the hoop, who notched her 100th career winner on a return trip to Launceston on Friday.

Holder and Johnstone shared riding honours on Saturday’s nine-race card with their respective doubles.

Gluyas took home a training double with Goldrush Guru and Pearl Adios.

Originally published as Goldrush Guru delivers Andrew Gluyas his fifth Hill Smith Stakes win at Morphettville