Griffiths Racing Stable

Mr Riggs in flying form

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

Tough stayer Mr Riggs, backing up from a solid fifth in Saturday's Roy Higgins Quality, was in winning form at Sandown on Wednesday.

Appreciating a drop in grade and a return to the testing 3100m, the six-year-old was sent out favourite and he was always travelling nicely.

Settling fifth in a solidly run affair, the son of Carnegie peeled off the backs of the leaders straightening and really began to wind up. Unfortunately at the time Family Bliss in front was racing waywardly - shifting ground drastically in the straight and taking Mr Riggs with him.

A protest was lodge, stewards deeming that the interference was significant considering the margin of just a short head and Mr Riggs was awarded the race.

A seven times winner from 29 starts - amassing just short of $90,000 in stakes, Mr Riggs is proving a fun horse for owners Robbie Griffiths, Don Healy, Henry & Mrs Marilyn Steel, Maurice Kelly, Leesa Attard, the Colony Inn Syndicate (manager Gary Parker) & Corey Moncrieff.

A classy win

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

Promising three-year-old Tornado Class broke his maiden in impressive style at Benalla on Sunday, the son of Elvstroem finding the line at only his fourth start.

A horse who has always displayed talent, he was favourite at his Mornington debut back in August – racing erratically and subsequently being gelded. Resuming with a Cranbourne third followed by a Benalla sixth, he did not have the best of luck but it was only a matter of time until he broke through.

Again however he did not have the easiest of runs – needing a run approaching the turn. Getting off heels he really got home well over the final stages, showing a good turn of foot over the 1212m.

Bred by Don Leahy, Tornado Class is raced by a group of friends who are enthusiastic fans of the chestnut’s sire Elvstroem. Shareholders in that promising young stallion, they cheered him on from Caulfield to Dubai and are now enjoying the success of his progeny.

Congratulations to Adrian Fox, Cameron Maccoll, Derek Hamilton, Sean Pulverman, Ross Symons, Christopher Simpson, Norfolk And Chance Racing, the Olshouldhave Syndicate, James Van Beek and Don Leahy – we are sure the best is still to come for Tornado Class.

Making a splash!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

Having her first try at the 1400m, talented filly Spurlash looked good breaking her maiden in easy fashion at Bendigo on Thursday.

Settling mid-field, the lightly raced daughter of Flying Spur was the widest runner at the turn but a strong late burst saw her win by a head with plenty in hand.

A Melbourne Premier sale graduate selected by Robbie Griffiths, the $80,000 filly is a half sister to five winners including the metropolitan winner Waikopou Bay and the city placegetters El Sordo, Aquaspur and Pudjib.

A granddaughter of the French stakes winner Eternity (also grandam of the dual Gr.1 winning European Caitano), Spurlash has a lovely dual purpose pedigree and hopefully we can increase her value by having her win in stronger company.

Congratulations to owners Craig Pearce, the Estate Of James Lillie, Paul Poppa, Michael Jones, Debbie Armstrong, Graeme McGregor, Nick & Joan Wilson, Tony Aravanis and Shiranee Griffiths.

Debutant asserts his authority

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

A smart debut winner for the stable at Stony Creek on Sunday, the promising Reassert handling the heavy conditions to salute in tough style over 1100m.

Drifting in the betting but still kept safe, Reassert looked good in the mounting yard and ran up to his appearance – digging deep over the final stages to win by a short neck from the more experienced favourite Lucky Honey.

A $100,000 Melbourne Premier yearling the son of Reset is raced by Craig & Kathleen Pearce, Tony Aravanis, Helen Smith and Lynne Rees.

Boasting an interesting pedigree, he hails from the same family as Reset’s dam sire – the champion sprinter and outstanding stallion Zeditave.

A half brother to the five times winner Thou Shalt and the three times winner Powderhall, he was bred by Rosemont Stud and can also count amongst his relations the feature race winners Amex, Golden Fox, Alannon, Pampas Fire, Cloister, Melito, Shikoba, Zedagal, Unison, Flying Alpha, Greys Inn, Verocative, Jet Spur, Hollows and this year’s runaway Magic Millions winner Military Rose.

Straight to the front for Jackspur

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

A winning run continued for the stable at Ballarat on Thursday with comeback galloper Jackspur jumping straight to the front in the 1000m maiden and dominating proceedings.

Drifting in the betting, the lightly raced four-year-old had a big job ahead - the race his first since February last year.

Having his first start for Robbie Griffiths, Jackspur actually lost his lead in the straight - a rival getting nearly a length in front. But he fought back courageously and had a bit in hand winning by nearly a length.

Having only his fifth start, Jackspur has really turned the corner and now looks ready to go on - having always displayed some promise.

Raced by Craig Pearce and Scott Embrey, Jackspur - a $100,000 Melbourne Premier purchase - is a son of Flying Spur and the city placed Success Express mare Deepdene.

A full sister to the Gr.2 placed Boulevard, Deepdene hails from the family of the Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Riva Diva.

Big staying win by Mr Riggs

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

A horse who has always shown good staying potential, Mr Riggs raced away in impressive style at Sandown on Wednesday – the stable’s sixth winner in just three weeks.

Appreciating a rise in distance – stepping up from a good 2400m run to 3100m, the tough six-year-old was always travelling well. And when he let go he really exploded – on the line having 3.3 lengths on his rivals.

Raced by Robbie Griffiths, Don Healy, Henry & Mrs Marilyn Steel, Maurice Kelly, Leesa Attard, the Colony Inn Syndicate (manager Gary Parker) & Corey Moncrieff, Mr Riggs was bred by Tony Santic out of a ¾ sister to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champion Peintre Celebre.

He has now had 27 starts – winning six races and over $68,000 in stakes. Wednesday’s victory was a special one - not only his easiest, but his first at metropolitan level.

She's a flyer!

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

"Stable is flying at the moment and she must be respected: - the Caulfield racebook comment for talented mare Avionics and it were spot on!

Lining up for her third run this preparation, the four-year-old looked well placed in the Bib Stiwell BMW Handicap - having run two such good races in the lead-up.

"She was terrific first up," said Robbie, "and she just didn't handle the soft track the other day. She was meeting Ariarni 3 1/2 kilos better today so it looked a good race for her."

Jockey Craig Williams, also aboard when the bay was fourth on softish going at Moonee Valley second up, was pleased to be in the winner's circle.

"She was much better on top of the ground," he said - "a good result!"

A $150,000 Melbourne Premier sale graduate selected by Robbie, Avionics is a daughter of Flying Spur and the city winning Star Way mare Synopsis.

A half sister to the Listed winner Terraue, her dam is a half sister to the Gr.2 mare The Lions Roar - dam of recent Gr.3 Hobart Cup winner Growl and the Listed winner Leeu.

From the family of the Gr.1 Sydney Cup winner Linesman, Avionics is raced by the Gleneagles Stud Syndicate (Kevan Wacey), M Sinclair, the Estate Of James Lillie, the Brown Racing Syndicate (Ana Brown), the Miller Dietrich Yerfayze Syndicate (Stephen Miller) & Colin Bell.

Stephen Miller was all smiles after the win, his group of friends having a great time purchasing 10% shares in several horses and cheering them home.

"We have a bit of fun," he said - "and that's what it is all about. The social activities are as good as the racing!"

Anquetil does it again!

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

The margin may not have been five lengths this time but in winning at Bendigo on Friday, up-and-comer Anquetil was just as impressive as he had been when bolting in at his previous start at Ballarat.

Full of himself in the preliminaries - getting quite worked up on his way to the gates - the four-year-old had plenty of fans as an odds on favourite and, despite his mood, did not let anyone down.

Settling back in a fast run race with leader Regalio putting a big gap between himself and his rivals, Anquetil looked to have the job ahead turning but once let loose by jockey Danny Brereton, he really put in the big strides.

Overhauling Regalio - never an easy horse to pass - Anquetil was very strong over the final stages, the margin of a long neck not indicative of just how much he had in hand.

Clocking a fast 57.09 seconds for the 1000m, Anquetil will have a few weeks before his next run - Robbie keen to give him time to recover.

"He got a bit hot - it was only eight days since his last run and it was a 34 degree day. So I will space his next run a bit and gradually take him through his grades."

"There is a showcase at Bendigo in around three weeks' time and then we might look at a 1000m metropolitan race for him."

Double cause for celebration, Robbie and Shiranee owners of Anquetil whose sire Bel Esprit has been good to the stable.

A New Winner

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Congratulations to owners Dr Gordon, Robert and Katherine Stewart on the strong win recorded by their tough gelding Newgrange at Sale on Tuesday.

In the winner's circle for the first time since taking out the Koroit Cup at Warnambool two years ago, Newgrange joined Robbie's stable late last year and he was having just his fourth run for us.

Appreciating a slight rise in distance to 1510m, the gelding was fitter for his first few runs back from a spell - the stable's Robert Kingston explaining that "he has had a few issues and it took a few runs to get him right."

"He is a gross horse who just needed racing," he added - "and today was his day!"

Well ridden by the in-form Nick Hall, Newgrange was always travelling well behind the leader - going wide in the straight and kicking strongly.

"He was fit enough today to go forward and make his own luck," Hall said. "He made it easy for me."

Recording the sixth victory of his 39 start career, Newgrange won by 1 1/2 lengths - taking his prizemoney tally to beyond $130,000.

A home-bred for the Stewart family, Newgrange is a son of Dolphin Street and the unraced Danzero mare Bon Dancieux whose dam Bon Precieux won four races for them - including the Gr.3 Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Able to count amongst his relations the Horse Of The Year Research, Newgrange is a descendant of Entreaty - dam of the legendary Phar Lap.

Tour de Ballarat!

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Celebrations in the Griffiths household on Thursday night - Robbie & Shiranee's talented four-year-old Anquetil the most impressive of the eight winners at Ballarat.

Settling a clear last after getting his head up at the start, the bay - who had been racing consistently without much luck - was still at the rear of the field straightening.

But then - whoosh! In just a few strides Anquetil was able to swallow up his rivals - racing away to a soft five length victory.

Still green, the up-and-comer took jockey Danny Brereton by surprise.

"I could feel that he was going to win," he said - "but not that easily!"

"He put pay to them pretty quickly and felt pretty stylish. He really let go."

Fourth at his two previous outings, Anquetil had tough runs on both occasions - badly held up when beaten just 2.2 lengths at Wangaratta and always wide on a track suiting leaders at Ballarat before that.

Bred by Richard Pietrykowski, Anquetil was a real bargain for Robbie - costing just $3000 at the Inglis Classic sale. He is a son of Bel Esprit (a stallion with whom the stable has enjoyed a lot of luck) and the unraced Naturalism mare Natural Jackie.

Named after famed cyclist Jacques Anquetil - the first five time Tour de France winner - he is a half brother to the WA city winner Reward from the family of the Golden Slipper heroine Century Miss.

Other members of this successful family include the stakes winners November Flight, Bojack, Lilting, Honour The Name and the Hong Kong Gr.1 winner Natural Blitz.