Trainer Andrew Gluyas rates Serious Spender his best chance at Murray Bridge

Serious Spender winning at Murray Bridge would be fitting for Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas after securing the half-sister to stable star Dalasan at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

The consistent mare, shooting for a hat-trick of wins, is likely to battle out the finish with Will Clarken-trained Stan The Caddy and Tony and the Calvin McEvoy runner Resurge.

“Getting over distance she has run into a bit of form,” Gluyas said.

“It is a reasonably competitive race but we’re happy with the way she’s tracking.

“She’s maintained her form, her results don’t suggest it (prior to past two wins) but we’ve been happy with her all the way through.”

Serious Spender was not disgraced in Listed grade last October, when seventh behind Winning Partner, and Gluyas cannot rule out the mare returning to that level eventually.

“We did consider taking her to Tasmania, but held off on that for this time,” Gluyas said.

“We might do that heading into the next couple of starts, see how she performs here.”

Gluyas will be watching closely from the Gold Coast after a successful week for the yard, having landed the So You Think filly, half-sister to Dalasan, for $300,000 and a $150,000 More Than Ready colt on Friday.

“It was exciting to grab her when we had the opportunity to,” Gluyas said of the filly out of Khandallah.

“It’s going to be great to have her in the stable, she looks like she may be an Oaks filly herself.

“Dalasan’s done us well, a genuine Group 2 horse, is he a Group 1 horse, we have to find that out.”

The team has six runners at Murray Bridge on Saturday, including Daily Spirit (Race 3), Bolt By and Gogolf Guru (in Race 4), Tony’s Reward (Race 7) and Tequila Time (Race 9).

Tequila Time has been the subject of some frustration, seemingly going backwards after a smart first-up win last October.

It is hoped a good draw and weight relief could see the Stratum gelding find his best in a competitive benchmark 86 sprint, which includes Enigman, a dual acceptor scratched from Flemington.

“He’s (Tequila Time) sliding down a little bit in his ratings,” Gluyas said.

“He raced well fresh, but we are just a bit frustrated with the way he’s going.

“He needs to be at his best to get across the line.”

Originally published asSerious Spender primed in hunt for hat-trick

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