Griff set to contest Eskimo Prince Stakes
Caulfield Guineas winner Griff is on a mission to add another classic win to his resume, this time in Sydney.
The colt is set to resume in the $250,000 Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick this Saturday for what will be an exclusively Sydney campaign.
Trainer Ciaron Maher is upbeat about the three-year-old’s condition this time in, and while not ruling out the possibility of Griff getting over further than 1600-metres eventually, he doesn’t see a need to test his limits this autumn.
“He’s a very straightforward, clean, horse and you could probably try, but the Guineas will be the go,” Maher said.
“He’s come back well, he has furnished a little bit.
“He’s going to campaign in Sydney and probably head to the Guineas at Randwick.”
Griff is among 13 entries for the 1200m Eskimo Prince Stakes with Spring Champion Stakes winner Tom Kitten, Golden Rose runner-up Encap and classy filly Tiz Invincible among his possible rivals.
While the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 9 will be Griff’s immediate target, Maher is also open to stepping him out against the older horses in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) should his form warrant.
Three-year-olds have a good record in the Doncaster winning nine of the past 28 renewals with Brutal in 2019 the most recent.
Meanwhile, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will look to finalise their Blue Diamond Stakes hand when a trio of their youngsters step out at Randwick.
Bott said the stable’s two juvenile winners at Rosehill on Saturday, Canonbury Stakes victor Prost and Widden Stakes heroine Lady Of Camelot, were both in the mix for Melbourne’s Group 1 feature.
He also wants to see how a trio of their two-year-olds perform next weekend with Inglis Millennium pair Fully Lit and Trunk, along with Lonhro Plate hopeful Anode, all under consideration for a Blue Diamond start.
“Anything that has run this weekend and next weekend are possibilities for the race,” Bott said.
“Any of these could go to the Blue Diamond. She (Lady Of Camelot) could go down, Prost could potentially go down and anything out of next week, Anode and potentially Trunk.”
Bott confirmed Fully Lit and Trunk would be their only Inglis Millennium runners as Sovereign Hill had been sent to the paddock.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...