Trainer Andrew Gluyas is eyeing a long-awaited breakthrough in one of South Australia’s premier races, with stable hope Watchme Win set to contest the Group 1 The Goodwood.

While Gluyas has experienced Group One success — including the 2011 Caulfield Cup with Southern Speed and the 2014 Champagne Stakes with Indy Go Go during his time alongside Leon MacDonald — a major SA victory still eludes him.

Most recently, he trained Goldrush Guru to a Victoria Derby triumph under his own name. But last year’s close calls with Another Award in the Robert Sangster Stakes and The Goodwood have Gluyas hungry for more.

“Not really, we were just hoping to get him racing because he had a whole year off,” Gluyas said of Watchme Win’s original campaign plans.

“So, after a good start-up prep, we gave him a break, after that Sir Sway race, and then we thought we’d see where he pops up, and he’s popped up alright.”

Now a five-time winner, Watchme Win booked his spot in The Goodwood after a strong win in the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m). Gluyas is confident his gelding is primed for the six-furlong challenge.

“We’re excited for Saturday. He’s come through that run in the John Hawkes really well, he’s building towards the six furlongs and it just happens to be in a Group One, but he’s good.”

In The Goodwood, Watchme Win will carry 56kg — giving away 1.5kg to high-profile sprinter Giga Kick, who tops the market despite a winless stretch since May 2023. Watchme Win is rated a $18 chance by betting sites.

“I wish it was a handicap, that would’ve helped but that’s the way it goes, it is how it is,” Gluyas admitted.

“I reckon it is (wide open) for them all, a lot of those mares are in good form out of the Sangster, so it should be good.”

“It’s the right time to have a crack, if the race was somewhere else, well, maybe not but at home, you may as well.”

“Winning a Goodwood, that’d be alright, wouldn’t it?”