| In form trainer
Robbie Griffiths has a great chance for a rare back-to-back Moonee Valley double tomorrow. The Griffiths trained pair of Costalette and Dandy Kid were both winners at
the most recent Moonee Valley meeting and the pair will be back to attempt the same feat
tomorrow.
Costalette, a daughter of Victoria's siring sensation Encosta
de Lago, proved too fast when she led throughout on the strathayr track on May 8.
Griffiths said this morning on Sport 927 he was expecting the filly to lead again.
"She's got heaps of early speed and I'd expect her to
lead again tomorrow," Griffiths predicted. "If anything was to try and take her
on would not give them (the challenger) really any chance of winning."
Ivan Culliver, who has ridden the filly in a lot of her work
on the training track, will again be aboard the filly on Saturday.
"After her first few starts the owners suggested we let
Ivan ride her as he got along well with her in trials and on the track," Griffiths
said. The pairing of Costalette and Culliver had instant success when they teamed up last
start.
A strong pointer from the last start win is the great deal of
form that has come out of the race. Russia House, the horse which finished second to
Costalette at the Vallet, came out and scored an east win yesterday, while another of the
beaten brigade Rose of Spartacus toyed with her rivals in a heat of the Red Ruby Series
over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Griffiths stable will be hoping for a double
when they saddle up the track specialist Dandy Kid in the Brendan McCarthy Handicap
(1200m).
The five-year-old son of Demus scored his fifth win from
attempt nine at the track when he was first up last start.
"The win the other day was pretty comprehensive,"
Griffiths said. "He may have not won by much but he did it pretty easy."
Apprentice rider Fabian Villella will again be in the saddle
of Dandy Kid tomorrow. Villella is riding with great confidence and he starred in
yesterday's heat of the Teac Rising Star Series winning after a copybook ride. |
