Talented filly Griante has been removed from the 2014 Tattersall’s Tiara field on veterinary advice after a blood test showed that she was not at full fitness.
Griante has been scratched from the 2014 Tattersall's Tiara. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Griante was included in the acceptances for the 2014 Tattersall’s Tiara, which will be run at Eagle Farm on Saturday, that were released this morning and was set to jump from barrier 15 with Steven Arnold on her back, but trainer David Brideoake officially ruled the Good Journey filly out of the Group 1 event just after midday.
Griante started her preparation with a win in the Benalla Bowls Club Plate (1206m) in Benalla on February 24 and has worked her way through the grades impressively in her subsequent seven race starts.
The three-year-old made her metropolitan racing debut with a fifth place finish in the Hilton Manufacturing Handicap (1300m) at Sandown on March 22and was narrowly denied a second race win by Hot Mama in the Windmill Handicap (1200m) at Sale on April 6.
Griante finished second behind the talented River Delta in the Geoff Murphy Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 19, but was able to turn-the-tables on the previously undefeated filly in the Sportscover Insures VAFA Plate (1440m) at Caulfield on May 3.
Brideoake opted to bring Griante to Brisbane for a 2014 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival campaign after she took out The Chase Hotel Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on May 17 and the Le Pine Funerals Plate (1600m) at Sandown on May 31 and was one of the best backed-runners in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) at Ipswich last Saturday.
Griante took up the running in the early stages of the race and battled home bravely when challenged by Jazz Song in the final 200 metres, but was unable to hold off the Mick Price-trained filly, who will run in the Tattersall’s Tiara on Saturday, and finished in second.
Brideoake is yet to decide on the immediate future of Griante, but she is expected to be sent to the spelling paddock before returning to being preparations for a 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
Cosmic Endeavour ($5) is currently a narrow favourite in 2014 Tattersall’s Tiara betting markets from Red Tracer ($5.50), Steps In Time ($5.50) and Catkins ($6).
