A Group One pedigree was to the fore at Matamata
where Griffin opened his career in perfect fashion.
The well-related son of Iffraaj was overlooked in the betting, but the chestnut
defied Wednesday's market to impressively win the Don Griffith Trenching Ltd
1200.
A brother to stablemate and dual Group One New Zealand Derby and Rosehill
Guineas winner Gingernuts, Griffin is now likely to be spell in preparation for
his three-year-old season.
"Both of his more recent trials were pretty good and we were going to put him
out, but he did deserve a crack at this," said Stephen Autridge, who trains
with Jamie Richards.
A tardy start resulted in Griffin settling further off the pace than
anticipated, but it made no difference to the 16-1 chance and he finished
strongly in the straight to down the favourite Mongolian Beauty.
"He got to the line really well, and like his brother, the further he goes the
better he'll be," Autridge said.
Griffin was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis from Taranaki breeder
Chris Thompson for $90,000 through Gavelhouse.com. Thompson has retained 10 per
cent and is among the Te Akau Slam Dunk Syndicate which race the promising
chestnut. - NZ RAcing Desk