Lope de Vega's Gytrash Slays the Giants in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday February 15

South Australian-trained gelding Gytrash left some of the nations slickest sprinters with windburn following a dominant performance in Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.

Only once further back than third in 15 starts, the Gordon Richard’s-trained son of Lope de Vega had won nothing more than a Listed race at Flemington and his only unplaced effort had been when beaten into tenth place in the Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville last May at his lone attempt at the elite level.Gytrash put some of the nations best sprinters to the sword in Lighning Stakes images Grant Courtney

With Mark Zahra in the saddle, Gytrash was one of three horses to go to the inside section as he tracked leader Redzel.

The odds-on favourite Nature Strip led the four horses who came down the outside but he was clearly in trouble when under attack from Loving Gaby.

Gytrash powered past Redzel inside the 200m to defeated him by a length with Loving Gaby another short neck away third.

It was a maiden Group 1 win for the 68yo Richards who had to nurse Gytrash back to health after he jarred up when second to Crystal Dreamer in the Group III The Heath 1100 at Caulfield last August.

Advertisement

“They just said modify his training, less hard work,” Richard said.

“Water walking, swimming. I don’t think he was 100 percent today. He looked like it, but he’s still got a bit of improvement this prep which will be good.

"He's just a machine. His work leading up to this, Jason Holder rides him fast work for me over in Adelaide and rode him in a special gallop between races and said 'this horse frightens me'."

A $40,000 purchase by his trainer out of the Maluka Thoroughbreds draft at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Gytrash advances his record to 8 wins, 4 seconds and 3 third from 15 starts with earnings of $886,750. He was pinhooked out of the 2016 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale for $70,000.

The same year his dam Miss Barley was sold to Einoncliff Park for $26,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale

Gytrash is the best of two winners out of the Fastnet Rock mare Miss Barley who is a half-sister to the Listed winner Strawberry Storm (Thunder Gulch) who is the dam of the stakes-placed Movie (Red Ransom) who is, in turn, the dam of the Listed winner and $1.1 million earner Goodfella (Snitzel).

Miss Barley has a 2yo filly by Demerit named Pouakai. Not served in 2017, Miss Barley missed in 2018 and was covered by Universal Ruler last spring.

From the fourth and final Australian crop of his sire Lope de Vega, Gytrash becomes the 10th Group 1 winner for the son of Shamardal.

Advertisment

Race Result - Black Caviar Lightning Gr1 1000m

Flemington Track: Soft(5) Time: 0:57.53
1
Gytrash
- 4g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Miss Barley (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G V Richards Rdr: M Zahra 58.5
2
1.0
Redzel
- 7g Snitzel (AUS) x Millrich (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 58.5
3
1.2
Loving Gaby
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Maastricht (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Craig Williams 53.5
I Am Invincible
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $650,000
Seller: Kia Ora Stud, Scone
Buyer: TFI Fillies Partnership
4
3.2
Nature Strip
- 5g Nicconi (AUS) x Strikeline (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58.5
5
3.5
I Am Excited
- 5m Snitzel (AUS) x Lady Beckworth (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: David Pfieffer Rdr: B Melham 56.5
6
4.7
Despatch
- 5g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Zoccoletta (AUS) (Fasliyev (USA))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: L Currie 58.5
7
6.0
Tofane
- 4m Ocean Park (NZ) x Baggy Green (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: D Dunn 56.5
More Reading...
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
Welcome to Sydney Gytrash
With seven wins and a luckless second over 1000 metres, Gytrash has the record to stamp himself the best in the land at the distance, which he proved emphatically when running down Nature Strip in Saturday’s Group II Concorde Stakes at Randwick.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).