Trainer Gordon Richards has dismissed a wide barrier as a problem for Gytrash in the 2020 Group 1 $400,000 The Furphy Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Gytrash, above, has drawn a wide barrier in The Goodwood at Morphettville. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Gytrash has some first class form leading into The Goodwood but the $3.50 favourite will have to be at his best after drawing barrier twelve in the fifteen horse field.
“First thought was he was about five holes out further than what I would have hoped for,” Richards told AAP.
“Second thoughts, it is what it is.
“I don’t think it will worry him. He steps away nicely and there’s a bit of pace inside and outside him which should break the field up enough.
“He sat three and four deep last time and won running away.
“There’s also only one bend at Morphettville, so it should be alright.”
Gytrash hasn’t raced for a month since scoring a three lengths win in the Group 3 $120,000 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 18, but Richards is happy with the sprinters Goodwood preparation.
Gytrash galloped with his stablemate and Goodwood rival Bold Star on Tuesday morning at Morphettville and Richards was happy with what he saw.
“Anytime they gallop together he (Gytrash) shades the other horse and that was again expected today (Tuesday),” Richards said.
“He’s in top shape.
“We’re lucky here at Morphettville. We’ve got a water-walker, swimming pool, good tracks, everything at our finger tips.
“And the horse thrives in the stable.”
Top Adelaide jockey Jason Holder has retained the mount on Gytrash after steering him to victory in the R N Irwin Stakes.
Richards campaigned Gytrash in Melbourne during the 2020 Autumn Carnival and the four year old performed well above expectations.
Gytrash beat a slick field of sprinters with his win in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) down the Flemington straight and then finished third in the Group 1 $1.25m Seppelt Wines Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington again.
Gytrash then held his form and ran a brave second to Loving Gaby in the Group 1 $500,000 Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
The Anthony Freedman trained Santa Ana Lane is searching for his second win in The Goodwood after collecting the trophy in 2018 and is on the second line of betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at $7 just ahead of the James Cummings trained Trekking at $7.50.
Betting for the 2020 The Goodwood at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.50 Gytrash, $7 Santa Ana Lane, $7.50 Trekking, $8.50 The Inevitable, $9 Sunlight, $13 Order Of Command, $14 Behemoth, Lyre, $17 Xilong, $18 Zoutori, $21 Jungle Edge, $41 Bold Star, $81 Free Of Debt, Amberdi, Li’l Kontra.
