Trainer Andrew Gluyas from Morphettville views the Premier’s Plate as the correct stepping stone for reliable stayer Guru Warrior towards Black Type competition, while staying mindful for the $120,000 Saturday engagement.
A couple of trivial problems have instilled prudence in the stable ahead of the 2006-metre Morphettville race, Guru Warrior’s first since claiming four victories in succession on November 15.
“He missed a little bit of work leading into Saturday,” Gluyas said.
“I was hoping to get in a jumpout or a trial and maybe even a race, but I just had to hold him up that little bit.
So, in terms of work going in, I was hopeful to have a little bit more conditioning into him but, in saying that, he’s got good form and it’s a good opportunity for him to come up to Listed grade after working through his grades.”
Guru Warrior’s recent 2250m BM78 conquest marked his third win on the trot as the market ruler, succeeding his initial streak success at $3.10 shared favourite status in the 1950m BM64 on Parks track September 27.
Those quartet of triumphs yielded close to eight lengths overall, satisfying Gluyas despite the Saxon Warrior gelding’s quirky passages during the run.
“He went through that winning run not doing everything completely right, so he’s not the full bottle and I wouldn’t expect to really see the best of him until next spring,” Gluyas said.
“He had a tendency to run around under pressure, but what he does do is he travels well and once he got out to 2000 metres, that’s where he really hit his straps and his ability to travel without effort really seemed to set up his races.
That’s what gives us something to like about him as we move into Saturday.”
Gluyas notes a slight worry for $2.80 elect Guru Warrior, but praises the condition of $14 runner Arugamama for her reappearance after the Skybeau Series Final (2500m) on November 22.
“She has had some good, positive trials and jump outs and I’m quite pleased where I’ve got her coming into a 2000-metre race fresh,” he said.
“I think we’ve got her where we want her…she’s there to perform well I reckon.”
Explore the betting markets for the race to get in on Guru Warrior’s Premier’s Plate bid early.
Barrier five is the starting point for topweight Arugamama (58kg) with Taylor Johnstone, while gate seven awaits Jacob Opperman on Guru Warrior carrying 55.5kg.
The post Premier’s Plate test for Guru Warrior first appeared on Just Horse Racing.