South Australian sprinter Gytrash was able to knock off the The Everest favourite Nature Strip when he outgunned the hot pot to score a sensational first up win in the Group 3 $160,000 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick today.
Gytrash, above, scored a sensational win in the 2020 Concorde Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Chris Waller trained Nature Strip was sent out as the $1.45 favopurite for the Concorde Stakes but Gyrtash, who was easy in the betting to start at $5, was too powerful in the run to the line.
The Gordon Richards trained Gytrash had clear a margin over Nature Strip on the post with the judge putting up 1.5 lengths between first and second.
The Team Hawkes trained Dirty Work ($10) was also doing his best work at the finish to claim third spot in the six-horse field.
Nature Strip has held on to favouritism for the $15m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 17, but his first up defeat has seen his price being eased from $3.20 to $4.
On the other hand, Gytrash’s price has virtually been halved from $12 to $6.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Gytrash, who is to run in the Inglis slot in The Everest, has a terrific first up record and Adelaide trainer Gordon Richards had the five year old primed for a bold first up performance on his way to The Everest.
“It is Father’s Day tomorrow but I’ll take the early present. I thought he was in trouble turning for home and the other two sort of held up a bit so they’d have a kick. They kicked away from him. When he knuckled down, he’s a good horse,” Richards said.
“The 1200m will be even better. He’s won over 1200m down the straight admittedly but he can get balanced up properly. He will learn from that too. First time around here.”
“I don’t know now whether I give him another run or go straight to the Everest. He could do it. He was first up today, with one trial when he first came over here.”
Veteran sprinter Ball Of Muscle ($21) took up his usual position in front alongside of Nature Strip and the pair eye-balled each way on the home turn, with Jason Collett on Gytrash stalking the two leaders.
James McDonald let Nature Strip stroll to the front at the 250m, but had no answer to Gytrash’s powerful finish.
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