Griffith's Gate has a lot going for him at Cessnock
Story By by Gary Crispe
Monday, 18 February 2008:  | | Kim and Mark Waugh |
Prepared at Musewellbrook by Mack Griffith, Giant's Gate was a shade disappointing on heavy ground last start but has a few positives in his favour for today's RB62 Handicap.
The lightly-raced gelding had a good campaign last time in, working up to his maiden win over 2000m at Hawkesbury where he scored by two lengths over Deltona.
He then jumped from a maiden to a Class 4 over 2100m at Gosford and although finishing sixth of the seven runners, wasn't disgraced when beaten 2.4 lengths by Fearless Sheila.
He went for a long spell following the run and returned over 1200m ay Muswellbrook where he had a big weight, a wide gate and was beaten for early speed before working home late to finish ninth behind Eyewina.
He then stepped up to 1450m at Muswellbrook and turned in a much better effort but was luckless in the run, finishing fourth and beaten 3.5 lengths behind Ain't No Sunshine but should have finished much closer.
Last start, out to a more suitable mile at Gosford, he struck a heavy track and again wasn't disgraced but could only finish fourth of the five runners and beaten 4.5 lengths behind Barig.
A firming track will definitely be in his favour this time and it's worth noting his form on dead tracks – no placings from two starts – is much better than it reads.
He is fitter for the three runs from a spell, and will appreciate the extra trip to today's 2100m.
He also drops significantly in class, from an RB76 last start to an RB62 Handicap today – with this field rated around half a dozen lengths easier than last start.
He has drawn well for Leanne Henry and in a field full of very moderately performed gallopers he looks ready to show his best and hard to hold out.
The Kim Waugh-trained Mr Gilly is also dropping in grade and looks the biggest danger.
The gelding has had five runs this campaign, and after finishing on well fresh-up over 1350m at Wyong ran to solid races over a mile at Kembla Grange, the first when fourth then sixth most recently.
He then stepped up to 1850m at Newcastle and broke through for an overdue maiden win, where he carried a big weight and worked home stoutly to score by 1.5 lengths over Noble Connection.
Last start, in an RB74 Handicap over 2100m at Gosford, he drew wide and covered ground before battling into seventh, beaten 4.8 lengths behind Swindon Town.
Today he meets a field rated a couple of lengths easier and has drawn much better in barrier two.
He should have a good run from there off the pace and will not only appreciate an easier run but the easier grade.
He should be at his peak now and is worth another chance.
The Paul Perry-trained Stand Apart is an improving type who should appreciate the longer journey.
The three-year-old made his debut when fifth over 1300m at Scone, then finished sixth over 1550m here two starts back after bombing the start.
Last start, up to 1900m at Canterbury, he settled much closer in the run but only battled home, finishing fifth but well held behind Secord.
Today's race is no tougher but he drops 2kg in the weights, will be fitter again and looks suited by the longer journey.
Hilly will find this far easier and would go close on his previous effort when fourth at Gosford behind Swindon Town.
Last start he finished last but that was in town against far tougher rivals at Rosehill when beaten 10 lengths behind Delago Star.
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