Griffin Gets the Biscuits

Competitive in stakes races early in his three-year-old season, Griffin(4 g Iffraaj - Double Elle, by Generous) made it two out of three during this campaign with victory in the $12,000 Paddy Kennedy Memorial Rating 72 1300 metres on 21 February at Wairoa.

The brother to triple Group One winner Gingernuts, Griffin was also purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis and has the capabilities to extend his winning tally for the Te Akau Slam Dunk Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

Ably ridden by Te Akau apprentice Chelsea Burdan, who relieved the weight impost to 54kgs courtesy of a four-kilo claim, Griffin lobbed along happily outside the leader, took over approaching the home turn and never missed a beat to win well.

Griffin ran the 1300 metres in a respectable 1:16.9 on Good3 footing and paid $2.60 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Burdan has been aboard in each of his three starts this season, registering two wins and a second.

“After realising the talent of Gingernuts, I bought Griffin for $90,000 on Gavelhouse,” Ellis said. “He too has always shown ability and after winning his only start as a two-year-old we raced him in stakes races at three. 

“Time was always going to assist him and Jamie (Richards) has been very patient. He's starting to have a nice run of form and the way he won today I can see him winning more races. He showed a lot of ticker, and always been a well balanced horse with a bit of class about him.

“He was well ridden by Chelsea Burdan and she's going to be a terrific addition to our stable riders in the months ahead, especially as we get into autumn and winter tracks. Her weight claim will be a big advantage. She's a young woman with a bright future. She's got good balance, a natural affinity and just needs experience.”

Ellis said that after racing on Sunday at Gisborne, the Te Akau horses moved 90 minutes south to Wairoa.

“Paul Richards and Mason Stevens are looking after them and they're doing a great job. It's not only great to be supporting these East Coast clubs but also it provides a good learning curve for the horses being able to travel away,” he said.

Paul Richards said: “He's been a slow maturing horse but he getting there now and Chelsea rode him exactly as we talked about beforehand and she did the job well.”

Ellis purchased million-dollar earner Gingernuts as a two-year-old for $42,500 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, winning six of his 12 starts, including the New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m), Rosehill Guineas (Gr. 1, 2000m), and Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m), before being retired to Te Akau Stud after a life threatening fetlock injury, sustained during his preliminary for the 2017 Emirates Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) at Flemington. 

Earlier in the week, Ellis reported to the NZ Racing Desk that Gingernuts would lead out the field for the $1m Vodafone NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) next Saturday, 2 March, at Ellerslie.

Ellis said that Gingernuts was “enjoying being back in light work” and just loves his new role helping to educate the yearlings.

From a mare (Double Elle) that won five times to 1800 metres in Australia, by Epsom Derby and Irish Derby winner Generous (Caerleon), Griffin, like Gingernuts, has the pedigree to extend over more ground and although doing the job over shorter trips the option to step up remains. 

Griffin was strapped by Mason Stevens.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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