Andrew Gluyas believes the Premier’s Plate represents the ideal occasion to step up talented stayer Guru Warrior into Black Type company, though the Morphettville conditioner remains wary going into Saturday’s $120,000 feature.
A few small issues have left the trainer on guard for the 2006-metre event at Morphettville, marking Guru Warrior’s return since securing four consecutive victories 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 most recent success came over 2250m in BM78 company, his third successive triumph as the odds-on elect, following his streak launch at $3.10 joint favourite in a 1950m BM64 at Parks on September 27.
The total winning margin across those four successes totals just shy of eight lengths, a result that pleased Gluyas considering the inconsistent manner in which the Saxon Warrior gelding performed during them.
“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.”
Although Gluyas harbours a minor concern for Guru Warrior, the $2.80 market elect, he is thrilled by the preparation of $14 shot Arugamama ahead of her comeback following a subdued effort in 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.”
Check out the racing betting markets for the Premier’s Plate to find the best value on Guru Warrior and Arugamama.
Arugamama, carrying 58kg as topweight from barrier five under Taylor Johnstone, while Jacob Opperman takes the ride on Guru Warrior (55.5kg) out of gate seven.
The post Premier’s Plate test for Guru Warrior first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
