Above: Cranbourne maiden Oberoi breaks free to win for trainer Robbie Griffiths at last Thursday’s meeting. By Brad Kingsbury
CRANBOURNE trainer Robbie Griffiths was upbeat about the prospects of his young crop of horses after a convincing win by maiden runner Oberoi at last Thursday’s meeting.
Leading local jockey Peter Mertens rated the four-year-old gelding perfectly in only its second race start, to run away from outsider Dragon D’or in the straight and score by three lengths.
Griffiths said he was a tall horse that has needed time to mature.
“He’s beautifully bred and I think he’s going to be a genuine mile-and-a-half (2400-metre) horse given some time. He’s very strong and I think there’s more room for improvement.
“I told Peter to put him in the top half, but once he landed in second spot I was twice as confident. He got into a beautiful spot and that was it.”
Mertens said he was happy to lob near the front after the early speed levelled out and then accelerate in the straight.
He predicted that the lightly raced horse would get over more ground with experience.
Oberoi’s win was the only joy for local mentors during the Cranbourne meeting, with Mornington trainers taking the bulk of the spoils, winning four of the nine races decided.
Local hoop Sam Hyland scored a win on maiden runner Ever Glory, but the day’s riding honours went to controversial jockey Craig Newitt who completed a double on Oh Eight Hundred (race two) and Nylstroem (race four).
Newitt is awaiting an appeal on a three-month suspension that could see him miss the rich Melbourne Spring carnival.
Thursday’s meeting was the Cranbourne Turf Club’s final pre-cup meeting.
The club’s first-ever Sunday Cranbourne Cup meeting will be held on Sunday, 15 October, with the official launch of the event on the evening of 4 October at Amstel Golf Club.
The night, held in partnership with the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce will be the first of three major lead-up functions and feature leading form analyst Deane Lester and Victoria’s premier jockey Craig Williams.
