Gluyas with strong hand in the 2025 Hill Smith Stakes field

Local trainer Andrew Gluyas is hoping his stellar record in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) continues this weekend when he lines up three runners in the Morphettville feature for three-year-olds.

Gluyas has turned the Hill Smith into his own in recent years, winning the past two editions with Air Assault in 2023 and Goldrush Guru — who later captured the VRC Derby — in 2024. He also tasted success in earlier years with Pretty Punk, Beluga Blue, and Perfect Punch when training in partnership with Leon Macdonald.

This time, Gluyas will again rely on the family connection with Goldrush Guru’s younger half-brother Golden Guru, joined by stablemates Sassy Sophie and Freedom Flame.

“We’ve had a bit of luck in the race over time and we’ve been fortunate to have a couple of good horses win it in recent years,” Gluyas said.

“It’s always a good turning point of our spring for horses that are bred to get over a bit of ground.”

Golden Guru has shown steady improvement across his four career starts, flashing home from the back over 1600 metres last time out despite being hampered early in a tactical affair.

“He was a little unlucky last start when he got to the mile for the first time,” Gluyas said.

“He was strong to the line the other day and we’re hoping he can have a clear run on Saturday.

“The other two fillies (Sassy Sophie and Freedom Flame) did get their chance in the race (last start) so you would think that Golden Guru is the horse that might stand up at the moment.”

With his recent record in the race and another progressive staying type emerging from his stable, Gluyas looms as the trainer to beat once again in South Australia’s traditional spring stepping-stone event.

Punters can find the latest odds for the Hill Smith Stakes and other spring features through Australia’s top betting sites — the most searched platforms on Google for horse racing bonuses and markets.