3 minute read

With the dust settled on the three-year-old season of trans-Tasman 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 One-winning 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 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.