Cleary eyes Magic Millions glory with King Gutho

Knockabout Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary has taken King Gutho to the Gold Coast three times for his wife Sharlene and a merry bunch of owners and never missed a place, but he believes Saturday will be different.

King Gutho, now a seven-year-old, will be asked to carry topweight in the Magic Millions Country Cup, a race he was runner-up in last year and third in 2023, but things have changed away from the track that Cleary believes is an omen.

“My wife named this horse, because she is a Parramatta fan, after Clint Gutherson because he was her favourite player,” Cleary said.

“He moved to the Dragons last season, so I think that is a step in the right direction and might stop the horse running second."

“I would be more confident if he was wearing green [of the Canberra Raiders}, but anything is better than Parra.”

King Gutho has been a durable warrior, winning more than $380,000 in 44 appearances, and $180,000 of that has come at the Gold Coast in three Magic Millions runs.

“He likes it up here and always finds a way to put in his best,” Cleary said. “He ran a good race as a two-year-old and we keep getting a holiday with all these years later."

“Tommy Berry rode him last year in this race and we have him again, and I think is going just as well."

“The barrier is a worry but it might be Gutho’s day on the weekend.”