The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Griff became the seventh first-crop winner for Trapeze Artist when he led them a merry dance in the Precise Air Maiden Plate (1200m) at Warwick Farm.
Sent straight to the front by Dyan Gibbons, Griff never looked back in defeating the Rubick colt Need Some Luck by one and a quarter length with the Justify (USA) colt Jagjit a long-neck back in third.
It was the third start for Griff, and assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said he still has some growing to do.
“It was a great win. We wanted to be positive, and he was able to control the pace with no pressure,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“He is a lovely colt and has plenty of furnishing to do. There is more to come, but getting that one out of the way was great.
“He had no luck at all last start. He went to the races off a soft trial and was caught wide. It was a tough watch.
“He keeps improving, and it’s great to get a win for Shane Griffiths; he has been very patient.”
Griff was an $80,000 purchase for Kavanagh Racing Stables from the Widden Stud draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
The son of Trapeze Artist is the second winner from as many foals for the stakes-placed Sebring mare Chateau Griffo who might be on target to set a record for the number of times to see a sale. Since selling as a yearling for $50,000 as a yearling in 2016, Chateau Griffo has featured in seven catalogues, the latest being in the 2023 Inglis February (Late) Online Sale, where she sold for $75,000 with a North Pacific colt at foot and in-foal to I Am Immortal.
With seven winners, Widden Stud’s Trapeze Artist joins Harry Angel (IRE) and trails only Brave Smash (JPN) (9) in the race for leading first-season sire for individual winners.
