Thumping Win for Lope De Vega's Gytrash in Creswick Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday June 22

The Gordon Richard's trained Gytrash gave Australia another reason to regret the departure of Lope De Vega (IRE) following a brilliant performance in Saturday's Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

Scheduled to have a break after missing the board for the first time when unplaced in Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 18, Gytrash has rewarded connections following the decision to extend his campaign with a pair of Flemington straight-track wins and a first black-type triumph.

Travelling sweetly down the centre of the track under Craig Williams, Gytrash turned what looked likely to be a fighting finish into a two and a quarter length romp. (image Grant Courtney )


The Your Song filly Golden Halo was second with the Universal Ruler filly Bam's On Fire a short-neck back in third.

A $40,000 purchase by her trainer out of the Maluka Thoroughbreds draft at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Gytrash (pictured as a yearling ) advances his record to 6 wins, 3 seconds and 3 from 13 starts $405,450.

"I thought he'd come to the end of it but the race here a fortnight ago bobbed up so I thought we'd have a crack at that and then after he won, we thought we had to come back and have a go at this one as well," Richards told racing.com.

"That was his best run by far, he was exposed pretty early and usually when he hits the front he tends to float around a bit but the others struggled to get there.

"He'll have a short spell and come back for the Spring Carnival as a four-year-old.

"He's certainly a straight-tracker isn't he, that's two starts for two wins."

Gytrash is the best of two winners out of the Fastnet Rock mare Miss Barley who is a half-sister to the Listed winner Strawberry Storm (Thunder Gulch) who is the dam of the stakes-placed Movie (Red Ransom) who is in turn the dam of the Listed winner and $1.1 million earner Goodfella (Snitzel).

From the fourth and final Australian crop of his sire, Gytrash becomes the 57thstakes-winner for Lope De Vega (Shamardal).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Qatar Bloodstock's Endless Drama Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Fireworks were expected at Te Rapa on Saturday as several of last season’s equine stars kicked off their new spring campaigns in the Group II US Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and it was recent Group I  Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) placegetter Endless Drama who delivered with a stunning victory.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Lope De Vega's Spanish Whisper Strikes in Let's Elope
Seymour Bloodstock’s Spanish Whisper has the race performance and pedigree to grace any broodmare paddock in the land but that has been put on hold as she strives for that elusive Group 1 victory.
Lope De Vega Service Fee Rises to 100,000 euros
It seems a long time ago that French Derby winner Lope de Vega (IRE) shuttled to Patinack Farm in Australia, the top class son of Shamardal now one of Europe’s most desirable stallions with Ballylinch Stud lifting his fee for 2020 to 100,000 euros.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.