Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
After Goldrush Guru’s (American Pharoah {USA}) courageous effort to win the G1 Victoria Derby on Saturday, it is hard to believe trainer Andrew Gluyas harboured concerns about whether his colt would even last the distance.
He needn’t have worried, because the 3-year-old only found more speed on the big Flemington straight after leading at the 400-metre mark.
The young staying talent went on to comfortably salute by 1.5l, with favourite and G1 Spring Champion S. victor El Castello (Castelvecchio) 2.77l back in fifth place.
Goldrush Guru – by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (USA) and out of a staying mare that he trained, Glam Guru (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) – had not raced over 2000 metres before the $2 million feature, which was his eighth start.
But the way he also dominated his opponents to salute by 2.2l in the Hill Smith S. over 1800 metres at Morphettville last outing on October 19 gave Gluyas the jolt of belief that he was seeking.
“You never really know – he was stepping up from 1800 (metres), so there were some concerns,” Gluyas told The Thoroughbred Report.
“But he showed me he had that capacity throughout his preparation. It was just a true staying effort.
“He showed us that he had capacity without being truly tested over the ground.”
Jamie Kah and Andrew Gluyas | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A homebred from the Guru Breeding Syndicate, Goldrush Guru’s triumph – with Jamie Kah aboard on Saturday – was similar to his sire American Pharoah’s win in the 2015 Kentucky Derby.
That was when the now-sire of 51 stakes winners took the lead at the turn for home and wasn’t headed from there, going on to win by 1l.
Goldrush Guru found speed in the same impressive fashion.
“He’s an American Pharoah-sired horse out of a mare who could stay, so the pedigree was there for a staying-type of horse,” Gluyas said.
“He’s (Goldrush Guru) an American Pharoah-sired horse out of a mare who could stay, so the pedigree was there for a staying-type of horse.” - Andrew Gluyas
“American Pharoah was a Triple Crown winner who captured the international scene with what he did.
“When you have a horse with those sire lines in the stable, it gives you a bit of hope to push on forward, and hopefully those genes have shone through.
“On this occasion they did.”
American Pharoah (USA) | Standing at Coolmore America
Goldrush Guru’s first victory came at start number three in a $50,000 maiden over 1250 metres, saluting by 0.6l at Morphettville on August 17, before prevailing at Class 2 Handicap level over the same distance three weeks later.
Since then, he has won two of four starts as a 3-year-old.
“His 2-year-old season was incomplete – he wasn’t ready then, so we didn’t really learn a lot about him,” Gluyas said.
“He came up as a 2-year-old and early-season 3-year-old and improved with each outing.”
Dam Glam Guru could also stay
Gluyas trained Goldrush Guru’s dam, Glam Guru, alongside his father-in-law and Australian Hall of Fame conditioner, Leon Macdonald.
Glam Guru won two races from 12 starts, and finished runner-up in the 2017 G2 Wakeful S. over 2000 metres at Flemington.
Goldrush Guru was her first runner from four foals.
“We raced the dam. She had ability – she was just a little fragile. So she didn’t race deep into her career,” Gluyas said.
“We raced the dam (Glam Guru). She had ability – she was just a little fragile. So she didn’t race deep into her career.”- Andrew Gluyas
“But she definitely had something there to offer. We just didn’t get to see the best of her. She raced over 2000 metres in the Wakeful and placed on that occasion. We didn’t get much more out of her. But she was a horse with some ability.”
Gluyas has had a connection with Goldrush Guru's family for generations, with the colt a relation to former Macdonald-trained and Group 1-winning star, Gold Guru (Geiger Counter {USA}).
Gold Guru’s younger half-brother Gallant Guru (Montjeu {Ire}), who was exported to stand at stud in New Zealand in 2007, was trained by Macdonald to four-straight wins in the spring of his 3-year-old campaign and captured the Hill Smith S. and Geelong Classic.
Three-time Group 1 winner Gold Guru | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Gluyas was also a key part of preparing Macdonald’s Rebel Raider for victory in the 2008 Victoria Derby.
Rebel Raider has gone on to produce 312 named foals for 254 runners and 149 winners, with seven saluting at stakes level.
But Saturday’s triumph as a head trainer – while savouring a Group 1 victory for the first time – was the highlight of his career.
“Without doubt. To become a Group 1-winning trainer it’s my personal highlight. I’m very satisfied with (Saturday’s) result,” Gluyas said.
“Without doubt. To become a Group 1-winning trainer it’s my personal highlight.” - Andrew Gluyas
