Mill Park Stud Chasing Another Chairman's

Often used as a final lead up run to the Gr1 South Australian Derby on May 3, only one runner in Saturday's 16 strong Gr3 Chairman's Stakes (2000m) field can lay claim to having elite level form. That boast belongs to last year's Gr1 VRC Derby (2500m) winner Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah-Glam Guru, by Medaglia D'Oro) – see below – who was also good enough to finish third this time in when contesting the Gr1 Australian Guineas over 1600m. Disappointing in two runs in Sydney – maybe he just didn't appreciate the clockwise direction – there has been a change of jockey in Jason Holder who rode him to success in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at this track back in the spring. If you ignore his two Sydney runs, and assuming all is fine with him, then the level weights condition of the race should see the Mill Park-raised and Andrew Gluyas-trained colt more than capable of bringing home the prize. If successful, Goldrush Guru will join fellow Mill Park graduates Dalasan, Waging War, Gamblin' Guru, Rebel Raider and Mummify as previous winners of the race. A half-length second last time out with Jamie Melham aboard, who is continuing her association with the gelding, the Godolphin-bred and raced Lavalier (Microphone-Accessories, by Singspiel) is an extremely interesting commodity. If successful, Lavalier will become the third individual Group 1 winner for his dam, and sixth stakes winner overall, joining the likes of Epaulette, Helmet, Pearls, Bullbars (the sire of Mr Brightside) and Pericles. The mare only had one more foal before retiring, and that is the rising 2YO filly Dragonfly Brooch (Ghaiyyath).