Harry Perks’ breeding dynasty continued to display endless stamina as Goldrush Guru won South Australia’s third Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.

From gate 15, the third from the outside, jockey Jamie Kah was caught by three points early, but continued to find the perfect position one out and back after 800m as Hot Too Go ($61) took precedence.

With Oxford Blue ($51) falling to her knees with 700m to go, Kah was forced to shoot deeper as she approached the turn, but Goldrush Guru still continued to charge into the contest.

At 400m, Goldrush Guru had stormed to the front and now Kah was clutching the reins of the American colt Pharoah, creating a two-length margin.

From the ruck came $41 shot Scary as a major challenger, while $3.90 favorite El Castello was simply heading home.

But just when Scary was threatening, his stamina waned and Goldrush Guru continued the hard gallop to hold off the stranger by a convincing length and a half.

Perks, also the breeder of Caulfield Cup champion Southern Speed ​​and ATC Derby winner Gold Guru, was also the master of love matches that produced the triumphant 2008 Rebel Raider and 2019 winner Warning.

“It’s nice to be back here,” Perks said.

“I’m racing this colt with these guys, and we keep breeding family and a good one keeps coming.

“We thought he would be a Derby type horse since his dam (Glam Guru) finished second in the Wakeful Stakes.”

It was a Derby double for American Pharoah, the stallion also having produced last year’s unfortunate champion, Riff Rocket.

It was an emotional day for Kah, with victory coming just two hours after he took Another Wil home to breeder Colin McKenna, who died last week.

“I was riding for Andrew and Lou. I rode Shockers back in the day for them, so it was nice to reward them on the big stage at Derby Day,” Kah said.

“My plan was to get revenge on him. I couldn’t hold it sooner. I was going to be wide and somehow found a small space to fit into.

“Once I found the gap, he just fell asleep and gave me a great run all the way through.

“He won by a long shot and I could have stopped him for an extra lap, but he wanted to continue.”