Gundy Son returned to winning form with a tough victory in the Listed Goldmarket Handicap (1300m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday, but connections have still decided to retire the veteran gelding after he runs in the 2015 Magic Millions Cup this weekend.
Gundy Son returned to winning form with a brave victory in the 2015 Goldmarket Handicap at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Gundy Son made his racing debut under the care of Robert Heathcote in 2008 and has accumulated over $600,000 in prizemoney from his 66 race starts, but had not recorded a race win since he took out the Gallopers Meals Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on February 2 in 2013.
The Falvelon gelding went into the Goldmarket Handicap as a $12 chance after performing fairly in five race starts this preparation and he received the run of the race just behind the leading duo before he hit the front at the 200 metre mark and held on to record a drought breaking victory.
Trainer Tony Gollan acquired Gundy Son at the end of last year and has had a degree of success with the nine-year-old, including placings in the Goldmarket Handicap and the Super Starfish Handicap, but the leading Queensland trainer was thrilled to record a maiden race win with the gelding.
“I’m glad as it’s finally got the monkey off my back as this has been my first winner with him,” Gollan said after the race.
“He was with Rob Heathcote who did a great job with him early in his career and I only got him in the twilight of his career.
“This is his second last run.
His owners have decided to retire him and he’ll have his final run in the Magic Millions Cup next week.”
Gundy Son has been included in the nominations for the 2015 Magic Millions Cup that were released this morning and he will be having his third start in the race after finishing second behind Triple Elegance in 2013 and fourth behind Velrosso last year.
The Magic Millions Cup is worth $328,000 in prizemoney and has drawn a strong group of nominations; with a number of New South Wales-based gallopers set to contest the race.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller won the race in 2014 and he has included Strawberry Boy in the nominations, while the likes of Gerald Ryan-trained Dothraki and the Gai Waterhouse duo of Driefontein and Spurtonic are also a chance of contesting the race.
