Avionics’s last start fifth to Ortensia has boosted trainer Robbie Griffiths confidence ahead of her assignment at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Griffiths says Avionics is clearly the pick of his three mares in the Printhouse Graphics Handicap.
The six-year-old, topweight with 57kg in the 1200m fillies and mares event, finished 3-1/2 lengths behind Ortensia in the Listed G H Mumm Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on November 3.
Ortensia is the short-priced favourite for Saturday’s Group One $500,00 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
“She’s going really well,” Griffiths said of Avionics.
“Her run behind Ortensia was terrific and you’d think she’d strip fitter with the benefit of that run and that she’d be the one to beat in the race.
Griffiths said Avionics, the winner of six races including two at Moonee Valley, two at Caulfield and one at Morphettville, would possibly be aimed towards the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
“She’s a nice mare and we’d like to try to win a black type race with her if we can or run well in one because it would really help her residual value as a broodmare,” he said.
Elvstroem four-year-old Miss Elvee, whose only win from 13 starts was a 1200m race at Caulfield last January, indicated a good run with a third up second to Freereturn over 1200m at Moonee Valley last Friday night
“She’s good. She was good last Friday night at Moonee Valley running second,” Griffiths said.
“Free Return, who beat her, is a fair horse but Avionics is certainly the best of my three.”
Five-year-old Tottenham Girl, who has won three of her 12 starts including a 1200m maiden at Moonee Valley, was an emergency but has gained a start with the scratching of She’s Gifted.
“Tottenham Girl is just getting fit. She’s had one easy trial and isn’t advanced enough yet to win this one,” Griffiths said.
“She’s a lovely mare and she’ll probably win a mares’ race this preparation.”
Steven King rides Avionics who is at $6 with TAB Sportsbet with Cat’s Pyjamas the top pick at $3.20.
The Mark Kavanagh-trained Cat’s Pyjamas, to be ridden by Michael Rodd, has won at two of three first-up starts.
The Griffiths stable will also saddle up Vain Attraction ($15) in the tattsbet.com Hcp (1200m) and Mr Riggs ($81) who resumes in the Aquanas Foods Hcp (2040m).
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