Gytrash is his headline horse, but Morphettville trainer Gordon Richards also has other ammunition pointed towards the 2021 Adelaide Racing Carnival – starting with the Port Adelaide Guineas at headquarters this Saturday.
Crown Mint will line up for the stable and Richards believes stepping up in trip will bring out the best in the Hallowed Crown three-year-old, who has shown glimpses of talent during his relatively short career.
“We’re on a derby trial with Crown Mint, starting with the 1800m in the Guineas on Saturday,” Richards said.
“I hope that’ll be a better distance for him, then I hope he shows enough to push forward to the SA Derby.
“In all his runs this time in, he’s given the indication that he’ll get the Derby trip, but you won’t know until you try.”
Richards says he has plenty of faith in Crown Mint, which has an unflattering record of one win from 12 starts.
“Yeah, I think he’s better that what he’s been showing,” he said.
“This time in he’s been finding the line, albeit a couple of times there’s been a bit of buffering going on. If he gets out in clear air, from back in the field, he’ll make his presence felt on Saturday.”
Richards also has high black type aspirations for two-year-old Knightstown, who created a good impression by winning his only start at Morphettville Parks in February.
“He won really well that day,” Richards said.
“He’ll be heading towards the Breeders Stakes and the Sires Produce.
“I’ve got a lot of time for him. He’s a nice horse.”
Richards says Bold Star is going for a spell, after the horse pulled up sore from his unplaced run in the Manihi Classic last month. However, his regular sprinting sparring partner, Garner, will campaign locally during the Adelaide Racing Carnival.
“Garner is going to the Irwin Stakes next Saturday week,” Richards said.
“He galloped really good this morning…”
“Of the rest, Champagne Affair is going well. She’s one won one race, but her run last week was a ripper.
“Hopefully she can run in the Redelva (Stakes).”
IMAGE: Crown Mint’s SA Derby aspirations go on the line at Morphettville this Saturday in the Port Adelaide Guineas.
