Cover image courtesy of Racing SA
That loose horse careens right into the three youngsters; two are left unscathed but the third is not so lucky, with the unraced Watchme Win (Harry Angel {Ire}), in the words of trainer Andrew Gluyas, “taking the brunt of it”.
Sadly the errant horse ran on, harming himself to the degree that he had to be put down, and it was scary at first for Watchme Win.
"We just thought the worst," Gluyas said. “He had collision injuries to his hock."
The multiple fractures required surgery and further treatment - and time, plenty of it.
After a year recovering, Watchme Win was brought back into work, and in July last year was fit and well enough to make his debut, heading to Murray Bridge where he was double figure odds in a 1000-metre maiden.
Covering a bit of ground and racing greenly, he nevertheless attacked the line in winning style and he held his form well during that debut campaign, winning a BM64 at Murray Bridge in October before bolting in at BM84 level at Morphettville.
From there he was tried in stronger company, game behind the classy Sir Sway (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) in the $105,000 Gytrash Final before heading to the paddock.
Can a second racing campaign lead to Group 1 glory?
This, his second racing campaign, has seen the 4-year-old race three times and his two wins have been most impressive. And it was the latest of those, the G3 John Hawkes Stakes at Morphettville two weeks ago, that saw him secure his place in this weekend's $1 million G1 Goodwood.
The race is that race on the calendar that every South Australian wants to win and Gluyas is no exception, both excited and grateful to have Watchme Win taking his place.
“When we brought him back into work it was all about just seeing if he'd stand up to racing. It is pretty amazing to have him in a Group 1.”
And not just as a horse making up the numbers, but as a major chance.
“Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) is obviously hard to beat but our boy has drawn well (barrier 2) and he is racing well, he is definitely a big chance.”
Gluyas would dearly love to add a Goodwood trophy to his collection. He, along with his father-in-law and former training partner Leon Macdonald, have had a few runners in Adelaide's most prestigious sprinting contest.
Leon Macdonald | Image courtesy of Macdonald Gluyas Racing
Such as Another Award (Shamus Award) who at her final start was rather unlucky, putting in the big strides late going close to the prize after being held up until the 200 metres. And Augusta Proud (More Than Ready {USA}) who “for a few strides looked a big chance” only to have a couple of nice horses sweep past her... Takeover Target (Celtic Swing {GB}) and I Am Invincible!
The stable is certainly no stranger to elite level success, as recently as last spring cheering on a big race winner with Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah {USA}) proving too good in the G1 VRC Derby, but there is something special about a home-town Group 1.
A trainer in his own right since the start of the 2023 season, Gluyas kicked off his racing career mucking out stables for Leon Macdonald, having befriended that legendary trainer's daughter and now wife Sue, at school.
Representing South Australia in baseball, Gluyas trained as an electrical fitter, but, by the age of 30, the racing bug had been thoroughly caught and he enjoyed success with the likes of Terravue (Last Tycoon {Ire}), winner of the Listed Tokyo City Cup and the multiple city winner Dollydeva (Akhadan).
Andrew Gluyas | Image courtesy of Macdonald Gluyas Racing
In 2010, he officially entered the training partnership with Macdonald and the stable has continued on with its good record of always having at least one smart horse.
Runners in five of the six stakes races
Certainly more than one at the moment with Watchme Win being one of the five Andrew Gluyas trained horses lining up in stakes races at Morphettville on Saturday.
The first of those is the debutant Freedom Flame (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) who seeks to become the first Australian winner for her multiple Group 1 winning sire when she lines up in the G3 David Coles AM Stakes.
“She is definitely going to be better at three,” Gluyas said, “but she has trialled well so we'd thought we'd roll the dice.”
“She (Freedom Flame) is definitely going to be better at three, but she has trialled well so we'd thought we'd roll the dice.” - Andrew Gluyas
Gluyas has a bit of time for the half-sister to the stable's four-time Group winner Dalasan, describing her as being “well bred and well put together. She has got that lovely athletic length.”
Seeking Stardom (Tosen Stardom {GB}) is next up for the stable, lining up as one of the favourites in the Listed Centaurea Stakes.
Being tried over 2000 metres for the first time, the half-sister to the Listed winner Cerberus (Dundeel {NZ}) was right in the thick of things when third behind the in-for Zloties (Snitzel) in the G2 Queen Of The South Stakes two weeks ago.
“That was an excellent run, she is in form,” Gluyas said.
Air Assault | Image courtesy of Racing SA
A stable favourite, Air Assault (Justify {USA}) has a tricky gate to contend with in the G3 Cummings Stakes, but Gluyas is confident of a bold showing from the classy and consistent 4-year-old.
“The idea was to get him to this race fourth up and in form,” he said, happy with the well related gelding's last start fourth.
“He will need a bit of luck from the gate, but he was great last start and he is cherry ripe for this.
“He (Air Assault) will need a bit of luck from the gate, but he was great last start and he is cherry ripe for this.” - Andrew Gluyas
“He is an unreal horse who has a happy knack of winning stakes races,” he said, pointing to Air Assault's record of a Group 3 and four Listed races amongst his seven victories from 27 starts.
Air Assault's dam Elegant Eagle (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) was a city winner for the stable and she has made a great contribution since, producing their G1 ATC Champagne Stakes winner Go Indy Go (Bernardini {USA}) and their Group 3 winner Essay Raider (Bernardini) who took out the same race Watchme Win won recently.
Lovely Lookin' (American Pharoah {USA}) is another nice runner for Gluyas, the recent first up winner tackling the G3 Proud Miss Stakes.
“She is backing up, which is a concern, but she has good ability and she really caught the eye with her last win.
“She (Lovely Lookin') has good ability and she really caught the eye with her last win.” - Andrew Gluyas
“She has drawn fair for her and I think she can be thereabouts again. She had no luck in this race last year and was only 1.5l from the winner.”
Lovely Lookin's G3 Bow Mistress Trophy-winning dam Gogo Grace (New Approach {Ire}) also ran in couple of editions of the Proud Miss.
Harry Perks & Gluyas: a great partnership
Each of these horses share another link aside from their trainer, all having the highly respected and successful breeder Harry Perks in their ownership.
He bred and retains a share in Watchme Win, who he took to the 2022 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale where Gluyas was keen to secure him.
Watchme Win as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We'd followed him at Mill Park, and he had that strength and class you like to see.”
A $160,000 purchase who has already won over $235,000, Watchme Win has Perks (“he always likes to retain a share”) in the ownership along with a number of stable clients including another of Leon Macdonald's sons-in-law, the legendary race caller Terry McAuliffe.
Harry Perks | Image courtesy of Mill Park Stud
Perks is also the owner-breeder of Freedom Flame, Seeking Stardom, Air Assault, and Lovely Lookin', and Gluyas is proud of the stable's association.
“Harry is a very prudent breeder, he does a great job and we work really well together.”
