31/03/2026
“GIANT KILLER returns for assault on the 2026 Goodwood and another crack at the Everest”
Leading wine maker and picnic horse trainer Simon Tolley has revealed that he has been training Giant Killer GYTRASH, now a 10-year-old, to resume racing in the Adelaide Goodwood 2026.
“The view I have is that the horse is race ready and will be nominated for The Everest in October”, Simon said.
Simon stated he has employed an innovative solution to GYTRASH’S pre-training in preparation for the lead-up to the Goodwood.
This involves the current harvest of the Pinot Noir grapes at Simon’s Adelaide Hills winery and using GYTRASH to pull the wine-wagons through the vineyards rather than using the diesel tractor on a count of the shortage of fuel.
“There’s no doubt that he has benefited from dragging those 1100kg grape bins through the stoney dirt tracks, honestly- he looked like superman after a week of work”, smiled Simon.
Simon said that he’s seen some good indications from GYTRASH in the lead up and has been sprinting him over 200 metre runs from his paddock to the cellar door.
Previous trainers Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle said they were surprised to see the horse arrive at the Morphettville stables a couple of weeks ago.
“We rang Simon and asked what was going on, Simon said he was looking to get the horse shod and also had the horse booked in for a knee replacement.”
“Apparently the new technology in surgery works very well- a super keyhole replacement of the whole knee joint seems crazy”., said part-time DJ, Damien.
“Whilst this is rather unique and untried in Australia, we’re now pushing hard in being so close to commencing his racing career again”, said Gordon.
Simon Tolley said he had “been full of confidence” based upon a previous crystal ball reading and googling of how to get a horse back on the track.
A representative from the past ownership group who adore GYTRASH, looked surprised and shocked as well, however she stated that the group were very excited with the plans and will be making their way to the Goodwood and the Everest to watch the outcome.
“It’s not like he’s cost us anything to get to this point, we’d be mad to
miss the hospitality, free merchandise and first class travel that gets thrown at you, when racing at this level”.
Head steward Ima Phitzner said it was the first he’d heard of the plan but “would certainly cut corners to make The Goodwood happen”.
