Gluyas gives Guru green light in the 2025 SA Derby

Goldrush Guru is on track for a start in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) after his fifth-place finish in Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) convinced trainer Andrew Gluyas to press on with plans.

Despite racing fiercely early and being caught wide, the Victoria Derby winner worked to the lead and battled on to be beaten just 2½ lengths. Gluyas believes the run will bring him on significantly ahead of the Derby.

“We’ll monitor him through the week, our intention is to go to the Derby,” Gluyas said. “He’ll be better for that hit out today.”

Jason Holder allowed the gelding to stride forward after an unsettled start and he held on until the final 150m before being overrun.

“He’s keen, and that’s been his problem this preparation,” Gluyas said. “Since the Australian Guineas he’s just been too fresh. That run might settle him down.”

Goldrush Guru previously placed in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) before failing in both the Rosehill Guineas and ATC Derby. The stable decided to reset for the Adelaide autumn.

“It was a decent run off a month’s break. He led, he stuck on. That gives us confidence to back up if he’s right.”

Chairman’s Stakes winner Athanatos won’t be heading to the Derby, with Phillip Stokes ruling him out in favour of a spell.

“He definitely won’t be going to the Derby,” Stokes said. “He’s heading home and we’ll aim for spring. He looks a nice miler going forward.”

Scintillante also failed to fire and will join him in the paddock, trainer Cliff Brown confirmed.

Goldrush Guru has eased to $13 in Derby markets. Favourite Statuario holds firm at $3.50 while Lavalier, a strong second in the Chairman’s, has been backed into $5 with James Cummings confirming he’s likely to run.