Two-time Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Gold Medals became a million-dollar galloper almost eight years to the day the Wilde family-trained jumper competed in a Group One flat race, the 2013 South Australian Derby at Morphettville.
Gold Medals won a Warrnambool maiden on his flat debut as a two-year-old thoroughbred in April 2012 and he earned his berth in the 2013 South Australian Derby field, albeit as a 40-1 outsider, after posting two victories and three minor placings in his nine starts prior to his one and only Group One assignment. Gold Medals finished 11th in the 2013 South Australian Derby, Stephen Baster’s mount crossing the line six and a half lengths behind Ben Melham-ridden Escado.
It was not until August 2015 Gold Medals had his first run over obstacles, placing second to Deadly in a Bendigo maiden hurdle. The 2017 Brierly Chase at Warrnambool was the first race in which Gold Medals competed over fences, and he found Zed Em far too good for him. However, Gold Medals was to get the better of Zed Em on several subsequent occasions, including the Grand Annual Steeplechase editions of 2018 and 2021 at his Warrnambool home track. Clayton Douglas, the life partner of superstar flat jockey Jamie Kah, rode Gold Medals to his two Grand Annual Steeplechase successes.
I would love you to visit my blog every day for its daily serve of fresh content. But I would love you more if you hired me. I am well-bred, by Racing Post out of WA Turf Club. I am well-rounded, a winner over many courses and distances. And I am well-placed, available to add value to your existing team. Do the form on a racing, wagering and communications thoroughbred at markworwood.com.
