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Gytrash to chase Group 1 glory in SA

Morphettville trainer Gordon Richards has confirmed that his stable star Gytrash will chase further Group 1 glory in The Furphy Goodwood in May.

Gytrash has emerged as one of Australia’s best sprinters, adding a fighting second in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on March 20 – behind Loving Gaby – to his inaugural Group 1 victory in the Newmarket at Flemington on March 7.

Gordon says issues surrounding coronavirus have seen him lock in a South Australian program for the four-year-old gelding.

“I was a little bit undecided after Moonee Valley, but I think travel restrictions have made it such that he’ll stay here,” Gordon said.

Gytrash’s presence sets up the possibility of a mouth-watering clash with fellow SA sprinter Sunlight, which is being aimed at the Group 1 TAB Classic (Sangster Stakes) on May 2, but could also contest The Goodwood a fortnight later.

Gordon says his horse has earned its current ranking as one of the nation’s top short-course performers.

“He’s been pretty honest, hasn’t he?” he said.

“Every run has been a good run and while he mightn’t have won them all, he gives his all each time. He doesn’t win, then run last.

“So I’m pretty happy with his consistency at that level. They said the Newmarket was one of the best fields going around, and then they said the field was similar at Moonee Valley for the William Reid Stakes.

“So he’s mixing with the best sprinters in Australian and handling it well.”

Gytrash will actually run twice is SA, using the WFA Irwin Stakes over 1100m April 18 as a lead-up to The Goodwood. Gordon says The Goodwood is already shaping as an outstanding race, showcasing some exceptional South Aussie sprinters.

“Well, Sunlight’s come back to SA,” he said.

“And we’ve got the local horses Kemalpasa and Parsifal, plus Gytrash of course. So, it’ll be a great race – absolutely.”

Gordon is also setting the much-improved Bold Star for The Goodwood. Bold Star, which finished second in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield earlier this year, will tune up for his main SA assignment in the DC McKay Stakes over 1100m, two weeks before The Goodwood.

And the stable’s 2020 Autumn Carnival assault doesn’t finish there, with the brilliant Garner running in the Listed Manihi Classic over 1100m at Morphettville this Saturday, en route to other black type events over the carnival.

Gordon is also setting last-start Sandown two-year-old winner Crown Mint for the Group 3 TAB SA Sires Produce Stakes on May 9. Crown Mint recently scored in fine style at Sandown, after enduring a tough run throughout.

“He didn’t do it easy,” Gordon said, “but he did it well.”

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