Gluyas going for first Goodwood Handicap

Andrew Gluyas has claimed major wins throughout his career, but one of South Australia’s big four races has remained elusive — something he hopes to change with Watchme Win in this year’s The Goodwood.

While co-training with Leon MacDonald, Gluyas secured major titles including the Caulfield Cup in 2011 and the Champagne Stakes in 2014. In more recent times, he trained Victoria Derby winner Goldrush Guru on his own.

But it was the near-misses in 2023 that still sting, with Another Award finishing second in both the Robert Sangster Stakes and The Goodwood.

“Not really, we were just hoping to get him racing because he had a whole year off,” Gluyas said of Watchme Win’s unexpected rise to Group One contention.

“So, after a good start-up prep, we gave him a break, after that Sir Sway race, and then we thought we’d see where he pops up, and he’s popped up alright.”

The gelding, now a winner of five races, comes off a strong showing in the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m), and will carry 56kg in Saturday’s feature sprint.

“We’re excited for Saturday. He’s come through that run in the John Hawkes really well, he’s building towards the six furlongs and it just happens to be in a Group One, but he’s good.”

Gluyas admits the set weights format favours top-rated runners like Giga Kick — who remains favourite with betting sites despite a 12-month drought — but believes the local hope is ready for the challenge.

“I wish it was a handicap, that would’ve helped but that’s the way it goes, it is how it is,” he said.

“I reckon it is (wide open) for them all, a lot of those mares are in good form out of the Sangster, so it should be good.”

“It’s the right time to have a crack, if the race was somewhere else, well, maybe not but at home, you may as well.”

“Winning a Goodwood, that’d be alright, wouldn’t it?”