Goldrush Guru prepares for SA Derby, Watchme Win earns shot at The Goodwood for trainer Andrew Gluyas

Trainer Andrew Gluyas is hoping for an inside draw to aid Goldrush Guru’s bid to add the South Australian Derby title to his Victorian Derby crown.

Goldrush Guru, ridden by Jason Holder, wins the Hill Smith Stakes in 2024. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Trainer Andrew Gluyas will push on to Saturday’s $1 million South Australian Derby with Goldrush Guru after a “fair run” in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes.

Last year’s Victoria Derby winner raced keenly in the early stages of the Derby lead-up before jockey Jason Holder was forced to release him to pilot the field.

The colt took up the lead at the 1400m, sticking on honestly for fifth, beaten two and a half lengths by Athanatos.

It wasn’t a performance to wax lyrical about, but Gluyas was hopeful it placed the star colt in good shape for the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) on Saturday at Morphettville.

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“He’s good, he’s come through it well, we’ll accept and push on to Saturday,” Gluyas said.

“I thought he didn’t go too badly, he just couldn’t quite settle there and when they slackened the pace a bit he just got flushed out.

“Jason let him roll because he didn’t want to have to have an argument with him, he’ll be better for that, I think the profile for the back-up this year will really suit him. We are just really keen on an inside draw.”

Goldrush Guru is an $11 chance in Sportsbet’s futures market for the SA Derby, in which he will again be ridden by Holder.

Day One of Adelaide’s autumn carnival was a positive one for Gluyas: Air Assault and Seeking Stardom performed strongly, while promising sprinter Watchme Win continued his rise with a commanding win in the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes.

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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The four-year-old son of Harry Angel will now be tested at Group 1 level in the $1 million The Goodwood (1200m) on May 10.

“We are really excited with the way he’s taken a good step each run, he was excellent Saturday,” he said.

“I felt that it was on the back of an excellent run the start before as well, he’s building form and racing really well.

“He’s got an opportunity to run six furlongs at a high standard (in The Goodwood), I feel that will suit him now too with a few runs under his belt going to 1200m.

“Jason worked hard to get his weight down to ride Watchme Win – that was good.”

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Seeking Stardom finished a close third behind Zloties in the Group 2 Queen Of The South, while Air Assault finished fourth behind Regal Azmon in an Open Handicap and will head to the Group 3 Cummings Stakes on May 10.

“It was almost a career-best performance,” Gluyas said of Seeking Stardom.

“Perhaps she’s taken the next step as well, she was well handled by Taylor (Johnstone).”

Originally published as Goldrush Guru prepares for SA Derby, Watchme Win earns shot at The Goodwood for trainer Andrew Gluyas