Griffin next exciting roll- out from the Gingernuts team
With the dust settled on the threeyear- old season of transtasman group one winner Gingernuts, Te Akau is about to launch his full- brother Griffin on the New Zealand racing scene.
The two- year- old gelding comfortably took out his 800m heat at Tuesday’s Avondale trials and now has his connections looking to the future.
“We were happy with him leading into the trial as he was doing some nice work,” said Stephen Autridge, who trains Griffin in partnership with Jamie Richards.
“We were expecting a good performance from him and we got it. He has come through it well, so now we are looking for a nice easy race for him in two or three weeks.”
Given the deeds of his older brother on rain- affected going, the Te Akau team are not phased by the promise of wet tracks.
Griffin also shares some other similarities with his group onewinning brother.
“He is exactly the same colour but not as tall, this fellow would be about 15.2, but he i s a stronger t ype,” Autridge said.
“They’ve both got great attitudes and you don’t mind doing anything with them, they are very kind.”
Griffin was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis from Taranaki breeder Chris Thompson for $ 90,000 through Gavelhouse. Thompson has retained 10 per cent and is among the Te Akau Slam Dunk Syndicate which will race the son of Iffraaj and Double Elle.
Sir Patrick Hogan has announced that Tavistock’s 2017 fee will remain unchanged at $ 65,000 + GST.
He admitted he had serious thinking to do before deciding not to raise the stallion’s fee in reaction to the de- Invercargill mare Miss Three Stars will have track conditions to suit when she attempts to complete a hattrick of wins in the Riverton Cup today.
“We’re finally getting some rain down here, we’ve been praying for it,” trainer Tommy Beckett said.
While the rain was welcome for his versatile mare in her quest for another victory in the feature, Beckett said the eventual state of the ground was neither here nor there as far as his charge was concerned.
“She runs on anything really, but a wet track will slow some of the others down.”
Beckett was happy with Miss Three Stars leading into the race as the mand from breeders and outstanding racetrack and sales results.
“Marcus [ Corban, stud manager] and I have just returned from Sydney and the demand from Australian breeders has remained strong,” Sir Patrick said. “We took nearly 30 applications for bookings to Tavistock just in the few days we were there.”
Associate stallion Power’s service fee has increased to $ 12,500 + GST on the back of a terrific season for the sire.
Burgundy’s fee has also risen to $ 7000 + GST while group oneproducing Danehill sire Keeper’s fee has been reduced to $ 5000 + GST. seven- year- old mare attempts to record her 10th career win.
“Everything is up to standard and going well with her. The wee apprentice [ Sutvhire Toolooa] rode her well last start when she finished on well for third last start in the Wyndham Cup,” he said.
“She usually comes right at Easter, but the main thing has been to keep Sam [ Wynne] riding her, she just seems to run better for Sam.”
Wynne has a remarkable record on Miss Three Stars, riding her in eight of her nine winning starts.
“A third Cup win would be a good feat and it will be a big day if she does pull it off,” Beckett said. Sofia Rosa will attempt to add to her black type record in the group two Travis Stakes at Te Rapa on Saturday fortnight. Last season’s Australian Oaks winner will appreciate the step back up to 2000 metres following her last- start fifth in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. “Bringing her back to the mile was probably asking a bit much the other day,” said Bruce Perry, racing manager to owner Lib Petagna, whose colours were also recently carried to victory by debutant Newton. The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman- trained Authorized three- year- old was a firstup winner at Pukekohe over a mile. Stephen Marsh couldn’t be happier with his talented four- year- old Chocante. The Cambridge trainer produced the lightly- tried son of Shocking to win the Counties Cup at his 10th appearance and, following a break, the gelding finished well for third in an open sprint at Te Rapa last Saturday. “His run was super and he’ll go for the Easter Stakes next. It’s a shame it’s not a handicap, but he’ll still run very well I’m sure.” Meanwhile, Chocante’s group one- winning stablemate Thee Auld Floozie will make her next start in the Travis Stakes at Te Rapa on April 29. The connections of Volpe Veloce are spoiled for future choices for their top filly. “She’s still out spelling. We’ve yet to decide what we’ll do in the spring – there are so many options for her,” said Graham Richardson, who now trains in partnership with Gavin Parker. “She could go to the Foxbridge Plate or go to a trial before the first leg of the Triple Crown series, the Makfi Challenge Stakes, at Hastings. “Then again, she could go to Melbourne for a series of fillies and mares’ races.” A sunny lead- up to the All Aged Stakes won’t be enough to dry the Randwick track as much as trainer Noel Mayfield- Smith would like for Famous Seamus but his stable star will run regardless. The eight- year- old is the outsider of the field for today’s group one race, his first start since December and a stepping stone to future assignments over the Brisbane winter carnival.