The Mill Park raised 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.
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.
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
“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 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.
Copy: Racenet
