Settling well back in the field of ten, the talented five-year-old was always travelling well and when asked for an effort by Craig Williams really let go - charging home down the outside fence to finish an eye-catching second to rising star Doubtful Jack.

"It was a brilliant run," enthused jockey Craig Williams, "he is such a honest horse - you'd have to be happy with that."

Also running extremely well was the 1000 Guineas nominated Spurcific who, at only her second run this time in, was a gallant and close second in the first event of the day, the Voodoo Plate.

Striking interference early in the 1100m event, she was on the back foot from the start but she travelled sweetly and really fought it out. A win is just around the corner for the well related daughter of Flying Spur.

Marvellous Miss Breaks Through in Style

Marvellous Miss (3f Fusaichi Pegasus - Wishing Star) kick started the Griffiths Racing 10/11 Racing Season in fine fashion with an emphatic 2.5l maiden breaking win in the first race at Sale today.

The classy Marvellous Miss who finished 3rd on three juvinile attempts returned in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on unsuitable ground three weeks ago bounced back to form today. Ridden positively by Nick Hall, she controlled the speed and worked clear in the straight to record a good win for her owners Austin Miller, Warren Ellery, Troy & Madeleine Wilson, Brown & Kirks Syndicate, Estate of James Lillie and Graeme McGregor. Trainer Robbie Griffiths commented after the race "it was a really good to see her confirm the opinion we have always held of her, she is really nice and revelled being back on top of the ground today. Hopefully we can get some good tracks for her over the coming months for her to continue to progress."
 

Always in control after jumping well from barrier four, the exciting three-year-old gave a good kick at the top of the straight – and another in the run home and on the line was nearly three lengths in front of her nearest rival.

“I would’ve liked to have given her cover,” said Luke Currie who was much taken with the style of the bay’s victory – “I think she may have gone ever better!”

A $70,000 Melbourne Premier sale graduated selected by Robbie and raced by Austin Miller, Troy Wilson, Eva McGregor, the Estate of James Lillie, Warren Ellery and the Browns & Kirks Syndicate, Marvellous Miss was having her fifth start and only her second this time in.

Not stretching out when unplaced on slow going first up, the daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus appreciated the dead surface and was never going to lose.

It had been only a matter of time till she won her maiden, Marvellous Miss showing so much promise when last in work. At just her second start back in February she was third in the Inglis Premier at Caulfield and at her next outing third in the Gr.3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington.

Nominated for the 1000 Guineas, Marvellous Miss has a bright future and she has a pedigree to match her talent – being from the same family as the Gr.1 winners Danarani, Crystal Glitters, Amerique and Café Olympus.
 

Spurcific kicked off her 3 year old season today with an impressive 2nd in a high quality 3YO Fillies Super Vobis Handicap at Betfair Park. Raced by Tony & Helen Aravanis, Craig Pearce, Scott & Cathy Wendt the attractive daughter of Flying Spur travelled three wide close to the speed throughout and stayed on strongly for a very close defeat. Trainer Robbie Griffiths said of the run "she ran terrific, to sit wide and stay on to the line was great, although it was only a small field it was high on quality with the last placed horse running 2nd to Toorak Toff in the Magic Millions so I'm super impressed with the way she has come back."

Following three promising runs in her juvinile year including a strong finishing 4th to the tallented Broadway Harmony in the Dequetteville Stakes, Spurcific has spelled terrifically well at her owners property Princeton Lodge.    

A great run by the classy Beltrois at Flemington on Saturday has the stable excited about his spring carnival prospects.

Having his first outing since an eye-catching close up fourth in the Goodwood Handicap in May, the talented five-year-old kicked off his campaign in the Gr.3 Aurie's Star - a race which always proves a strong form reference.

Settling worse that mid-field but always travelling well, Beltrois really finished off nicely over the final stages - beaten just three lengths into third placing with a number of quality performers behind him.

"We are very happy with the run," said Robbie Griffiths, "as was Glen Boss."

"He has a lot of improvement in him - and will be even better suited as the tracks dry out."

Being kept fresh for a crack at the Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington in a month's time, Beltrois will strip hard fit third up for the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.

"We will be thrilled if he could become our first Gr.1 winner," Griffiths said.

The Aurie's Star has been used to launch many a spring campaign over the year and that's the case with Beltrois, who is ultimately targeting Group 1 races from 1400m to a mile later in the carnival.

So tomorrow's assignment presents a test for the talented galloper, who returns from a good spell after his fast finishing last start fourth in the Group 1 Goodwood in May.

Griffiths recognizes Headway is a very talented mare and well placed in the Group 3 grade, and the last time he met Royal Ida, Beltrois was beaten a neck in the Standish, also at Flemington.

“I'm really happy with him, he goes well at Flemington and handles the conditions no problem,” Griffiths said. “He's a progressive horse and has come back well.”

“My concern is the 1200m at Flemington in soft ground will be pretty tough at the start of a campaign. Royal Ida has had the wood on us before and given he's had two runs back he will be much more advanced in his fitness.

“If Beltrois can be winning this it augers well for the spring because there's good improvement in him.”

The five-year-old, with five wins from 15 starts, has never been tested beyond six furlongs and that's the direction he'll take in the spring unless he proves he's purely a sprinter.

“After Saturday we'll go to the Bobby Lewis in a month's time then the Show Day Stakes (Sir Rupert Clarke).

“That will be the test to see if he can run 1400m. If he runs it out and his form warrants it we'll then look at races like the Toorak and the Emirates over a mile.

“If not, we'll come back to the sprints and find something else for him.”
 

From RACING AND SPORTS