Trainer Andrew Gluyas confident Goldrush Guru can bounce back in ATC Derby after ‘forget run’ in Rosehill Guineas

The VRC Derby winner crossed to lead the Rosehill Guineas under Jamie Melham, but raced ferociously, leaving him exposed in the closing stages as he faded sharply to finish seventh.

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The failure could’ve tempted Gluyas to abort Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) in a bid to return home, but instead he’s trusting his star colt to bounce back after knowledge gained in the Guineas.

And it’s safe to say the son of American Pharoah won’t be piloting the field at Randwick on Saturday.

“The learnings out of the Guineas were that when he was exposed in the lead he just raced too aggressive,” Gluyas said.

“He presented at the top of the straight after racing without rhythm, that took its toll.

“Moving forward we’ll look to providing him some sort of cover in the run on Saturday, hopefully that can give him every chance to run out a strong Derby.”

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The Group 1-winning colt has given Gluyas every indication that he can produce his best form on Saturday, and star hoop Jamie Melham, who was aboard in the Guineas, was quick to mark last-start as a “forget run”.

“We are not panicking, the horse is well, there’s always a concern, how you come through a run like that – he’s pleased us with the way he has,” he said.

“Tuesday morning suggested he is on his game, we just have to take him on trust, one bad event is not necessarily taking him out of the picture for Saturday.

“Jamie was adamant it was a forget run straight away, but you always go through your processes and in no way do you force a horse to a race that they’re not going to be up for.

“I feel that he’s flowered and he’s ready to race in his true spirit, we’ll take him on trust and his form in the preceding races was excellent and we’re excited for him racing Saturday.”

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Gluyas and his team considered applying a gear change to the colt, but elected not to go down that path.

Goldrush Guru has drawn barrier 13 for Saturday’s ATC Derby, and is a $12 chance with Sportsbet.

“We did think about it but we’ve opted against that, we’re trusting him, we just feel that providing he gets a run that can have him travelling in a nice rhythm, we’ll get the best out of him,” Gluyas said.

“(Barrier 13) is sort of smack bang in the middle of the field, it’s tricky there (Randwick) where you jump onto the corner a little bit, he’s going to need a little luck as you always do, but that’s what it is and we’ll see how it all pans out on Saturday.”

Originally published as Trainer Andrew Gluyas confident Goldrush Guru can bounce back in ATC Derby after ‘forget run’ in Rosehill Guineas