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.

Advertisement
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.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Debut Winner for Ole Kirk
Ole Kirk unleashed another debut winner at Wyong on Thursday when Tiberius carried the Darby Racing colours to victory in a 1000m open maiden beating older rivals to become the tenth winner for his sire from just 17 starters!
Hong Kong Wrap - Happy Valley Wednesday
Deep Field had a new winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, making it 22 for the season and 60 overall in Hong Kong, while there were new winners for Needs Further and Showtime and Mark Newnham and Jamie Richards trained doubles.
One to Watch – UK 2YO
Super interesting winner at Newmarket on Thursday was a Godolphin homebred two year-old colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) that won on debut and is on track for Royal Ascot.
New SW The Autumn Sun – Matusalem Wins Albury Cup
Several of the big Sydney stables dispatched runners south on Thursday for the $200,000 Listed Albury Gold Cup (2000m) and it was Chris Waller who got the cash with tough four year-old gelding Matusalem.
Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale - New Record Price - Yulong, Too Darn Hot Feature
The Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale eclipsed its previous records for highest price, average and turnover with the second session headed by the 1,750,000 guineas sale of a colt by Havana Grey to Amo Racing and a further three lots realising in excess of 500,000 guineas.
Kiwi G1 Winner Grail Seeker Adds G1 All Aged Mix
Grail Seeker has added two Group One victories to her record this season and she will attempt to make it a third when she heads to Randwick on Saturday to tackle the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
Sires With Winners - Thursday April 17
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Applications open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship
Young professionals in the thoroughbred breeding industry have a unique opportunity to enhance their careers, with applications now open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
A busy set of trials at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning featured five heats for juveniles with winners including unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Hellbent and Bivouac.
Kingman Colt New Favourite for G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas
It’s been a strong start to the Euro flat season for Juddmonte Farms horses and a Kingman colt they purchased as a weanling  for 530,000 euros has claimed favouritism for the upcoming Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas with a powerful win overnight in the Group III Craven Stakes (1m) at Newmarket.