Dan’s chance to skip clear
DAN Griffin could secure an unassailable lead in the Gold Coast jockeys premiership today as he prepares to ride three favourites for trainer Les Kelly.
Griffin holds a four-win margin in the Aquis Park premiership over Ryan Plumb (30) and while he insisted a lot could happen between now and the end of July, this weekend could prove the difference.
“If I can get three winners it will relieve a lot of pressure in the premiership,” Griffin said.
“Ryan and I have been bouncing off each other lately. We still have seven or so meetings to go and anything can happen in that time.”
Griffin will ride Kelly’s favourites Exploration ($3.50), Snapchat Girl ($3) and Elixir ($4.80) as part of seven rides overall today.
Six rides are for Kelly. “They are all looking really good. The rail is finally back in too which is nice. It will be nice to be on a fresh patch of turf,” Griffin said.
“Exploration’s run the other day (second at the Gold Coast on June 1) was red-hot.
“I don’t think it’s an overly strong race (today) and with the rail in, it will bring him right into it.
“Snapchat Girl has drawn awkwardly (8) but she gets back. The 1400m (in the Benchmark 65) will suit her.
“She has a bit of weight to carry but the way she got home the other day when she just beat me (on Felino Bel) was exciting. She had 54kg that day and it’s a big step up in weight to 59.5kg.
“If there is enough tempo in the (Class 1) it should suit Elixir. It will be thereabouts.”
Kelly, the reigning premier trainer, is looking to continue a recent surge in form. He has 22 wins at Aquis Park so far this season.