Last-start Group One winner Griante is heading back to Sydney looking to add to her black-type record.
The Mornington-trained mare is heading to Randwick for Saturday’s Group Two Sapphire Stakes, a race in which she finished second to Avoid Lightning a year ago.
The winner of the Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 19, Griante has worked in good style since returning from Sydney.
Trainer David Brideoake sent her out for a gallop on the course proper at Mornington on Saturday morning and said was likely to leave for Sydney on Wednesday.
Jamie Mott partnered the mare and Brideoake said her 1000m-gallop was as impressive as the one she had before her Galaxy win.
Craig Williams, who won the Galaxy but sat out the first day of The Championships at Randwick through suspension, will again ride Griante.
“She’ll run on Saturday then she’s got a bit of time before she runs in Adelaide,” Brideoake said.
Following the Sapphire Stakes, Griante will go chasing more Group One success in the Robert Sangster Stakes and The Goodwood at Morphettville next month.
Griante gave the trainer great pleasure with her victory in The Galaxy.
“It was a great thrill to win one at that level, especially with one that you’ve bred and reared and had since they were a baby,” Brideoake said.
With Griante Sydney-bound, Brideoake will also be keeping a watch on Adelaide where he will have Thames Court contesting the Laelia Stakes at Morphettville.
Thames Court has won her only two starts this campaign, including the Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley on March 24.
Brideoake said Thames Court was on a three-year-old fillies black type path with the Auraria Stakes and the Australasian Oaks as target races.
“Again, fingers crossed, we’ve had a good run through her,” Brideoake said.
“It’s amazing having one in Adelaide and one in Sydney but there’s a few nice horses in the team and that certainly makes a difference.”
Linda Meech has been booked to ride Thames Court.
