Chateau could be worth 1000 Guineas in the spring

Brad Waters - Monday July 31

A start at Flemington on Saturday is but one option trainer Robbie Griffiths enjoys with talented filly Chateau Griffo.

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Robbie Griffiths could reproduce stakes-placed filly Chateau Griffo at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Chateau Griffo has not raced since an eye-catching third to Limestone and the subsequent Golden Slipper placegetter Tulip in the Group III Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) in January after various minor issues ended her campaign after one run.

"It was just immaturity and a few little niggly things in the autumn and it just wasn't worth trying to patch her up," Griffiths said.

"We tried for (Blue) Diamonds and other things but couldn't get there so we pulled the pin, gave her a long spell and brought her back."

Griffiths has nominated Chateau Griffo for races on the Pakenham Synthetic track and at Moe this week but the Cranbourne trainer said he would either run the new three-year-old at Flemington or wait for a race next week.

"I'm tossing up whether I kick her off there or go to a maiden at Geelong on the ninth of August," Griffiths said.

"We could accept Wednesday for Saturday and have a look at it, knowing if we're not happy with things, we're still eligible for a maiden. We can go there, tick her maiden box and got from there.

"I think I'm more likely to go to Flemington and have a look or go to Geelong."

Griffiths said he has not finalised Chateau Griffo's spring campaign but said the daughter of Sebring could measure up to races over longer journeys than the 1000m of her likely first-up run.

"I think she's a Thousand Guineas type," Griffiths said.

"When you see her run at Caulfield and how she relaxed and run the best sectionals in the race and run third, it gives you the encouragement that she could run the Thousand Guineas distance.

"The Sebrings seem to be very versatile over all journeys. We're hoping but there is just not enough known about her but the style of racing she showed on that occasion, she doesn't look a sheer speed filly anyway."

Griffiths said Chateau Griffo would be fit enough to win wherever she runs first-up after two pleasing jumpout efforts at Cranbourne in the lead-up to her reappearance.

Ryan Maloney will ride Chateau Griffo if she runs at Flemington on Saturday.

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