Griffin Set to Follow Brother's Example

The NZ Racing Desk reports:

With the dust settled on the three-year-old season of trans-Tasman Group One winner Gingernuts, Te Akau Racing is about to launch his full-brother Griffin on the New Zealand racing scene.

The two-year-old gelding comfortably took out his 800-metre 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 fazed by the promise of wet tracks. Griffin also shares some other similarities with his brother.

“He is exactly the same colour but not as tall, this fellow would be about 15.2, but he is a stronger type,” 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 his Taranaki breeder Chris Thompson for $90,000 through the online auction website Gavelhouse.

Thompson has retained a 10 per cent interest and is a member of the Te Akau Slam Dunk Syndicate which will race the son of Iffraaj and Double Elle.