Chateau could be worth 1000 Guineas in the spring

Brad Waters - Monday July 31

A start at Flemington on Saturday is but one option trainer Robbie Griffiths enjoys with talented filly Chateau Griffo.

Robbie Griffiths could reproduce stakes-placed filly Chateau Griffo at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Chateau Griffo has not raced since an eye-catching third to Limestone and the subsequent Golden Slipper placegetter Tulip in the Group III Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) in January after various minor issues ended her campaign after one run.

"It was just immaturity and a few little niggly things in the autumn and it just wasn't worth trying to patch her up," Griffiths said.

"We tried for (Blue) Diamonds and other things but couldn't get there so we pulled the pin, gave her a long spell and brought her back."

Griffiths has nominated Chateau Griffo for races on the Pakenham Synthetic track and at Moe this week but the Cranbourne trainer said he would either run the new three-year-old at Flemington or wait for a race next week.

"I'm tossing up whether I kick her off there or go to a maiden at Geelong on the ninth of August," Griffiths said.

"We could accept Wednesday for Saturday and have a look at it, knowing if we're not happy with things, we're still eligible for a maiden. We can go there, tick her maiden box and got from there.

"I think I'm more likely to go to Flemington and have a look or go to Geelong."

Griffiths said he has not finalised Chateau Griffo's spring campaign but said the daughter of Sebring could measure up to races over longer journeys than the 1000m of her likely first-up run.

"I think she's a Thousand Guineas type," Griffiths said.

"When you see her run at Caulfield and how she relaxed and run the best sectionals in the race and run third, it gives you the encouragement that she could run the Thousand Guineas distance.

"The Sebrings seem to be very versatile over all journeys. We're hoping but there is just not enough known about her but the style of racing she showed on that occasion, she doesn't look a sheer speed filly anyway."

Griffiths said Chateau Griffo would be fit enough to win wherever she runs first-up after two pleasing jumpout efforts at Cranbourne in the lead-up to her reappearance.

Ryan Maloney will ride Chateau Griffo if she runs at Flemington on Saturday.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Stakes Filly for Golden Slipper Winner Estijaab
A $1.7million Inglis Easter purchase for Emirates Park, Snitzel filly Estijaab won the 2018 Golden Slipper for Emirates Park before embarking on a stud career in the Northern Hemisphere and her first born Frankel filly Ejaabiyah gained Black Type on Saturday in the UK when finishing a good second in the Listed Newbury Fillies Trial Stakes (1m2f)
Bella Nipotina Wins G1 Doomben 10,000
Pride of Dubai mare Bella Nipotina has been a busy girl this year lining up in five million dollar sprint races before heading to Doomben for the $1.5million BRC Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on Saturday and the Ciaron Maher trained six year-old pulled out her A game to down the favourite I Wish I Win in a thriller.
Ciaron Maher Cheers On Melbourne Cup Hopeful at Newbury
The Melbourne Cup remains in play for Middle Earth and his new part owner, Ciaron Maher, after making a successful 2024 bow in the Group III Aston Park Stakes at Newbury.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 18
Here is the full list of 115 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Estijaab's Daughter Ejaabiyah Second at Newbury
After hacking up by six lengths at her only start at two, Ejaabiyah, a daughter of Frankel and the Golden Slipper winner Estijaab, fell two and a quarter lengths short of catching Godolphin's exciting Shamardal filly Diamond Rain in the Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes (10f) at Newbury on Saturday.
Invincible Filly Proves Her Class
She’s big and beautiful and I Am Invincible’s super talented filly Commemorative has long promised to win a stakes race and joined all the dots at Scone on Saturday finishing like an express train to win the $200,000 Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) in a breeze.
Tannhauser Breaks Through in Rough Habit Stakes
After promising so much early on, Tannhauser was not spared the surgeon’s knife, which may set him on a track to the Queensland Derby following his dominant performance in Saturday’s Group III Seven Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben.
The Melbourne Cup is on The Map for Andrew Ramsden Stakes Winner
A fortnight after her near four-length romp in the Group III Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2500m) at Morphettville, The Map reserved a spot in the 2024 Melbourne Cup with another strong staying performance in Saturday's Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington.
More Group Success for Kiwi Bred Western Empire
The resurgence of a former superstar of Perth racing continued when Western Empire lived up to his $1.85 favouritism in Saturday’s Gr.3 Furphy Belmont Sprint (1400m).
Pedigree Watch – UK – Another G1 Upset
Renowned UK farm Cheveley Park Stud were expected to win the Group I Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (1m) at Newbury overnight with a homebred and they did, but not with the one punters were thinking.