Richards is in town for a crack at the $15 million The Everest following a deal with slotholder Inglis and Gytrash opened his campaign on Saturday with a no-excuses defeat of the hot-pot Nature Strip (Nicconi) in Saturday’s G3 TAB Concorde S.
While The Everest market was given a shake-up by the result, the Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip was beaten at his previous two first-up appearances before finding the explosive form that has won him four Group 1 titles so he remains the popular fancy. He still managed to reel off the fastest furlong from the 400-200m.
Ball Of Muscle (Dubawi {Ire}) made it interesting early in the race when the 10-year-old didn’t give way to Nature Strip, who raced on his outer before he hit the front 200 metres from home, but had no answer when Gytrash got serious.
There will be improvement to come from the G1 Lightning S. winner Gytrash, who was making his first appearance since finished runner-up in the G1 Goodwood H. back in May.
It was an impressive fresh-up win off a very hot pace as Ball Of Muscle lead the pack up with blistering sectionals. The 1000m dash was won in 55:81, only a fraction of a section off Redzel's track record of 55:73.
Gytrash settled in third spot on Saturday for rider Jason Collett and he unwound powerfully to win by 1.5l.
Dirty Work (Written Tycoon) made ground well near the fence to take third off Ball Of Muscle, showing he has made the step up in grade to compete with the top level sprinters.
“He will be better at 1200 metres when he has time to get balanced up. He’ll learn from that, the first time around here,” Richards said. “It’s Father’s Day tomorrow so I’ll take an early present.”
“He will be better at 1200 metres when he has time to get balanced up.” – Gordon Richards
Richards has yet to decide if Gytrash makes another appearance before the world’s richest turf sprint on October 17.
“I don’t know now whether I’ll give him another run or go straight to The Everest. I might do that and he can do it, I’m loving this now and I’m not homesick anymore,” he said.
Nature Strip remains the $3 favourite for The Everest with Gytrash trimmed from $11 to $6 and Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt), Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) and Rothfire (Rothesay) sharing the third line at $11.
“I thought he was in a bit of trouble turning for home, the other two kicked away from him, but when he knuckles down he’s a good horse,” Richards said.
Laid-back manner
Collett was given an indication during the week of Gytrash’s laid-back manner and admitted to a few concerns.
“When I galloped him on Tuesday with a one-win stayer, it beat me by about 3l. He’s just so casual about it all,” he said. “He’s quite an unassuming horse really.
“He really started perking up on Thursday and was pig-rooting and Gordon said this is him, that’s what he’s like when he’s right so that gave me confidence.
“He was switched on at the gates today and as soon as we jumped we had the back of Nature Strip. He ran them down nicely and he’s going to improve.”
Gytrash as a yearling
Gytrash was originally offered by Glastonbury Farms at the Inglis Great Southern Sale where he was bought as a weanling for $70,000 by New Zealander John Corcoran, who bred G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Caulfield Cup winner Doriemus (NZ) (Norman Pentaquad {USA}).
He was subsequently re-offered at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale by Maluka Thoroughbreds and purchased by Richards for $40,000.
Gytrash is a son of the unraced Miss Barley (Fastnet Rock), who is a half-sister to the Listed Keith Mackay H. winner Strawberry Storm (Thunder Gulch {USA}) and the family of the dual Group 3 winner Goodfella (Snitzel).
