Robbie Griffiths knows how difficult it is to win at the famous May carnival at Warrnambool.
The Cranbourne trainer has sent some smart horses to Warrnambool over the past few years has not struck a blow while the likes of Darren Weir, Robert Smerdon and Bill and Symon Wilde overpower other stables with weight of numbers.
However, Griffiths says Mossbeat can provide a breakthrough win in the $70,000 VOBIS Gold Strike (1000m) on Tuesday.
Mossbeat ran third to Lady Trickster on debut at Sandown before finishing second to the exciting prospect Kalabek at Caulfield on Easter Monday.
“It’s a long way to go from Cranbourne and it’s very hard to win down there during the three days but she ticked a lot of boxes,” Griffiths said.
“It’s a quick back-up but she’s pulled up well from the other day and I think she’s a great chance.”
Rain is forecast for the Warrnambool district on Monday and Tuesday and Griffiths said a wet track would favour Mossbeat.
Mossbeat has not raced on a track worse than dead but the trainer said the Mossman filly would have an advantage on wet ground.
“The weather forecast is very negative for the week and it might affect others but on genetics, she should be fine,” Griffiths said.
“Most Mossmans handle the wet ground.”
Another of Mossman’s daughters, Mossfun, ploughed through heavy ground to win the Group One Golden Slipper on April 5.
Griffiths has stuck with veteran jockey Ivan Culliver to ride Mossbeat after the rider steered the two-year-old in her two previous runs.
The race is the richest flat race on Tuesday’s program which also features three maiden hurdles and the $100,000 Brierly Steeplechase (3450m).
Defending Brierly champion Cats Fun will run for Weir this year with his 2013 trainer Jarrod McLean serving a ban for a bicarb offence.
