Racing review on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day

Kah and Gluyas celebrate Derby glory

Jamie Kah rounded out one of the most eventful days in her decorated career with victory in Saturday’s Victoria Derby at Flemington aboard Goldrush Guru.

The star rider won the $2 million Group 1 for the first time just over an hour after her participation in the second half of the day was brought into question when stood down by the club doctor after being head-butted by Hurry Curry prior to the running of the Wakeful Stakes.

Kah earlier scored an emotional win aboard Another Wil, whose owner Colin McKenna died last weekend, while she was also suspended for causing interference aboard Kuroyanagi in Race 2.

Kah was cleared to resume commitments after the Wakeful and became the second female jockey to win Australia’s oldest Classic, following in the footsteps of Clare Lindop, who won aboard $101 shot Rebel Raider in 2008.

Rebel Raider was trained by Leon Macdonald, the former training partner and father-in-law of this year’s winning trainer Andrew Gluyas.

“It means everything to us,” Kah said.

“Obviously we love riding Group 1 winners, but it just makes it so much more special when it's for some fantastic people like Andrew.

“I used to ride for Andrew and Leon – I rode some shockers back in the day for them – so it was nice to repay them on the big stage on Derby Day.”

Goldrush Guru ($8), who enjoyed a lovely run in the one-out, one-back position took control early in the straight and powered home to defeat Scary ($41) by 1-1/2 lengths with China Sea ($11) third.

Gluyas has had a connection with Goldrush Guru’s family for generations, with the colt a relation to former Macdonald-trained star Gold Guru, and he was thrilled to celebrate his biggest win in racing on arguably the biggest on the calendar.

Goldrush Guru provided American Pharoah with back-to-back wins in the Victoria Derby following the win of Riff Rocket last year in what was the fourth win of his eight-start career.

Switzerland powers to Coolmore win 

Switzerland has ensured he will command a healthy fee when eventually retired to stud after demoralising his opponents in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington. 

The Group 1 race over 1200m for three-year-olds on Saturday is regarded as a stallion-making race with previous colts to have won being Star Witness, Sepoy, Zoustar, Brazen Beau, Flying Artie, Merchant Navy, Exceedance and Home Affairs. 

Hopes were high that Switzerland, a son Snitzel, would himself be a future champion stallion when purchased for $1.5 million as a yearling. 

Racing in the Coolmore colours under James McDonald, Switzerland registered a 2-¾ length win from Bellatrix Star with the $3.80 favourite Growing Empire and Lady Of Camelot sharing third spot a short-neck away. 

The victory was trainer Chris Waller’s sixth in the Group 1 sprint and his first since Home Affairs scored in 2021, while it also brought up a Victoria Derby Day double having scored in the opening race, the Carbine Club Stakes with Aeliana. 

“He's a very well-bred colt,” Waller said. 

“He's raced by some great racing enthusiasts that have supported me with a stallion fund, and it's important to win these types of races, a little bit different to the first race where we had an unknown filly. 

“The colt winning today, it really is a big deal on the big stage.” 

Waller said with the Group 1 win under belt, Switzerland could return to Melbourne in autumn or perhaps travel, for straight races. 

McDonald said Switzerland was one of the nicest colts that he has sat on. 

“He’s got a lot of talent, he’s got well above-average ability, and he’s got an absolutely brilliant demeanour,” McDonald said. 

“He’s got an incredible turn of foot, and he can sustain it for a long time, and he’s got all the attributes to be a top sprinter. 

“There are two races here in the autumn that have got a big circle around him. 

“He’ll thicken up, he’ll develop, he’ll get stronger and better. 

“He’s a beauty.” 

Redemption finally for Atishu 

At her third attempt, Atishu has finally added the Empire Rose Stakes to her ever-growing record. 

The only Group 1 race run for fillies and mares during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, Atishu has finally been lauded the winner after finishing fifth in her first attempt before chasing home Pride Of Jenni in last year’s edition. 

Atishu is the latest seven-year-old mare to prove herself at the highest level, joining Bella Nipotina as a Group 1 winner this season while Pride Of Jenni has a Group 2 win under the belt. 

Supplying champion trainer Chris Waller and champion jockey James McDonald with their second Group 1 win of the day, Atishu, the $3.60 favourite, scored by a head from Amelia’s Jewel ($5) with Socks Nation ($61) a further 1-½ lengths away third. 

“She's a year older, so she just takes that bit longer to find a Grand Final, but we had a little bit of confidence today that the Grand Final was here this week. 

“There is a pretty good chance, to run next week, but she’ll get some good opposition.” 

McDonald said he was incredibly proud of Atishu who turns up and performs at the elite level. 

“Her performance here last year, I couldn't believe she got beaten, and then as it's turned out, it was Pride Of Jenni who is an absolute star,” McDonald said.

“She (Atishu) is just a quality mare, and I’m really proud of her.” 

Another Wil provides emotional win 

Hardened racing people rarely show emotion, but trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Jamie Kah shared a tear after the win of Another Wil at Flemington. 

The pair combined to score with Another Wil in the Group 2 The Damien Oliver (1400m) on Saturday in the colours of Colin McKenna who died suddenly last Sunday, the result of a brain tumour. 

McKenna was a mentor for Maher from a young age, well before he became Australia’s largest trainer, while also being a constant sounding board for Kah. 

Another Wil is named after one of McKenna’s 12 grandchildren with the gelding owned by a large contingent of family and friends. 

“That's why he loved racing,” Maher said. 

“He bred it, and there was no more passionate person. 

“A great mate, a great mentor who would just love to be here today, but I'm sure he's looking down. 

“You just would not know how many people Col touched, and Jamie is a great example. 

“He’ll be sadly missed, and I’m sure next Friday there’ll be a lot of people there celebrating him.” 

In a one-two finish for the Maher stable, Another Wil (3.90) defeated the $2.20 favourite Jimmysstar by 1-¼ lengths with Steparty ($18) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away third. 

“This is for you, Col,” Kah said.

“He’ll be watching, and hopefully one day I can be doing this in a Group 1 for him.”