Goldrush Guru continues mighty staying legacy of breeder Harry Perks in Victoria Derby
Harry Perks’ breeding dynasty continued to show endless stamina as Goldrush Guru claimed the South Australian’s third Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
From gate 15, the third from the outside, jockey Jamie Kah was caught three wide in the early stages but pressed on to find the perfect position one-out and one-back after 800m as Hot Too Go ($61) made the pace.
With Oxford Blue ($51) falling in her lap with 700m to go, Kah was forced to pull deeper approaching the bend but still Goldrush Guru continued to cruise into the contest.
By the 400m mark, Goldrush Guru had stormed to the front and now Kah shook the reins at the American Pharoah colt, putting up a two-length margin.
From the ruck emerged $41 shot Scary as a major challenger, while $3.90 favourite El Castello was merely grinding home.
But just when Scary was menacing, his stamina ebbed and Goldrush Guru kept up the stout gallop to hold the outsider by a convincing length-and-a-half.
Camera Icon Jamie Kah riding Goldrush Guru wins the Penfolds Victoria Derby. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Perks, also the breeder of Caulfield Cup champion Southern Speed and ATC Derby victor Gold Guru, was also the master of the love matches that produced the 2008 triumphant Rebel Raider and 2019’s winner Warning.
“It’s lovely to be back here,” Perks said.
“I race this colt with these guys, and we just keep breeding from the family and a good one keeps coming along.
“We thought he’d be a Derby sort of horse as his dam (Glam Guru) ran second in the Wakeful Stakes.”
It was a Derby siring double for American Pharoah, with the stallion also producing last year’s ill-fated champion Riff Rocket.
It was an emotional day for Kah, with the win coming only two hours after guiding Another Wil home for breeder Colin McKenna, who passed last week.
Camera Icon Jamie Kah riding Goldrush Guru wins the Penfolds Victoria Derby. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
“I used to ride for Andrew and Lou. I rode some shockers back in the day for them, so it was nice to repay them on the big stage on Derby Day,” Kah said.
“My plan was to get back on him. Couldn’t hold him early. I was going to be wide and somehow found a little gap to slot into.
“Once I found the gap, he just fell asleep and gave me a beautiful run throughout.
“He won it a long way out and I could have stopped him for another lap, but he wanted to keep going.”
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