To chop or not to chop?
Traditionally, it’s never been a question for a colt that wins a Group 1 race as a three-year-old, but as prizemoney has spiked and the bloodstock market’s preferences have been honed, it’s a question faced more and more by trainers of Australasia’s classic winners.
Adelaide horseman Andrew Gluyas will get some guide on whether his owners have made the right call with Goldrush Guru when the VRC Derby winner races for the first time as a gelding in Saturday’s Wylie Handicap at Morphettville.
Despite his victory in the time-honoured staying classic last spring, as well as a placing in the G1 Australian Guineas over 1600m in March, it was deemed the colt would not have enough commercial appeal to make it in the cut-throat stallion business.
It was a similar story with Godolphin’s Tom Kitten, who was gelded despite winning the G1 Spring Champion Stakes as a three-year-old. It was a decision that was somewhat vindicated when the gelding won the All Star Mile earlier this year.
Gluyas is hoping the gelded Goldrush Guru can settle better in his races, which can help him make the transition into open company.
“It was a decision made by Harry Perks and the other two owners Gary Marriott and Brian White, as well as Adrian Hancock who works closely with Harry,” Gluyas said. “The question that was asked was what value did he have going forward as a Group 1-winning staying son of American Pharoah in our stallion market versus what sort of racing he could have going forward.”
“For him to have a racing career going forward, he probably needed to be a gelding to be honest, given the way he was racing. It was going to be difficult with him if he stayed a colt because of how aggressive he was in his races. There are heaps of racing options, provided he comes back as a genuine racehorse as a gelding.”
While Gluyas isn’t necessarily expecting any first-up heroics in the Wylie, he’s cautiously optimistic about Goldrush Guru’s spring prospects.
The Group 2 Gilgai Stakes and Group 2 Crystal Mile are options in Melbourne, while the $10 million Golden Eagle in Sydney is also on the radar.
“The Wylie is a nice kick off to get him going,” he said. “I feel like he’s come up quickly and originally we weren’t thinking of coming to the Wylie but he’s come up well.”
“It sits in the back of my mind that Derby horses aren’t always horses that go on with it, although his effort to run third in the Australian Guineas gives me some hope as a form reference that he can be around the mark at a nice level.”
“He wouldn’t have been ready for them (Caulfield or Melbourne Cups) and it wouldn’t have been the right thing to rush him so the only early nomination he’s got is the Golden Eagle, but every four-year-old is probably nominated for that.
“In my heart of hearts, I hope he can because he’s got the strength for it and he’s built like a good horse.”
