Griffiths staying ahead of the race

Written by Paul Vettise

Uncertainty over future border restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic has led to Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths making an early run with his 2-year-old Group 1 contender Glenfiddich (Fastnet Rock).

Griffiths is keen for the last-start winner to be given his chance at a pair of New South Wales juvenile features and, to that end, despatched the youngster to Sydney on Monday evening.

He made the call ahead of time to send Glenfiddich in case of further potential inter-state border closures. Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania have already closed their borders as has the Northern Territory.

"At least this way he'll be up there and he can run in the Sires' Produce, all going well. He’ll be stabled with David Pfieffer and we will work in with him as us trainers work in with one another all the time,” Griffiths said.

He is keen to run Glenfiddich in the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. at Randwick on April 4 and, all going well, the G1 Champagne S. a fortnight later.

The colt broke his maiden last weekend when he was a dominant winner at Mornington where he stepped up to 1500 metres.

“He was really good on Saturday, he was very strong, and I’ve always had a lot of faith in him,” Griffiths said.

“He kicked off his racing career at Flemington and finished close (fifth) to Tagaloa and then he got hurt at Sandown when he cut a leg. He came back and ran second to Hanseatic, a really good colt, at Caulfield.”

That was in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview and a close fifth followed in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude, but missed out in the G1 Blue Diamond S.

“He bombed the start and Glen Boss said he gave away an impossible start. Then he bounced back in the Magic Millions race in Adelaide when second and was very good winning on Saturday.

“All the jockeys that have ridden him said he’s a 1400 and 1600 metre horse and the right races are coming around,” Griffiths said.

“As you saw on Saturday, he ran against the same horse that beat him in Adelaide and he put a big gap on him and Amish Boy is a really nice horse.

“He really got to show everyone what we think of him, he was very dominant.”

MM graduate

Glenfiddich was purchased by Griffith with Peter Ford Thoroughbreds for $200,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was offered by breeder Edinburgh Park, who has also remained in the ownership.

He is a son of the North American winner Nothin But A Dream (USA) (First Defense {USA}) and a family that has a strong Australian record through multiple Group 1 winner and sire Criterion (NZ) and his G1 Doomben Cup winning half-brother Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock).

The Group 3 winning siblings and Group 1 performers Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock) and Bull Point also feature in the pedigree.

Griffiths said in the current times he had little choice but to send Glenfiddich to Sydney.

“I didn’t really want to do that as he had just raced on the weekend, but our hand was forced with the situation and inter-state protocols and the travel restrictions. If he didn’t go he might not get there at all.

“Ideally, I wanted to wait but we didn’t have time on our side. At least he’s in Sydney and in the right state.

Uncertain future

Due to the situation, Griffiths is unsure if he will be able to travel to Sydney to put the finishing touches on Glenfiddich or attend the Inglis’ Easter Yearling Sale.

"If restrictions increase and I can't get up there, I know the colt will be in good hands with David," Griffiths said.

He also has Sydney targets in mind for the genuine Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt) to Sydney, but has decided on a wait and see policy with her.

“She stayed home and if she can’t get to Sydney we’ll take a different path,” Griffiths said. “She’s an honest mare and an unlucky mare with the style she has, but she’s a real talent.”

Fidelia, who customarily gets back in her races, has yet to win a black type race but has placed twice at Group 2 level, including a last-start third in the Sunline S. and three times in Group 3 events.