Griante too strong in Wenona Girl Handicap

Interstate raider Griante proved too strong for the local fillies and mare in winning the Group 3 $150,000 Wenona Girl Handicap (1200m) at Randwick today.

The Victorian mare Griante ($7) was able to secure the winner’s cheque with a half a length win over another interstate visitor I Love It ($4.60) with the outsider of the field, Slots ($201) a further three quarters of a lengths away in the third place.

Griante was too strong in the Group 3 Wenona Girl Handicap at Royal Randwick

Griante was too strong in the Group 3 Wenona Girl Handicap at Royal Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart

Favourite Brook Road ($4.20) was always well back in the field and never threatened in the straight to finish in eleventh position, four and half lengths from the winner.

Tom Brideoake was on hand at Randwick deputising for his father David and said that it would be nice going home to Mornington following a successful hit and run mission north.

“It is always nice to come on these hit and run missions and nick a bit of money up here and take it home south,” Tom Brideoake said.

“She won a Group 3 last prep so she has really gone up in the ratings, we have to step up the bench now and put her in deep end.”

A mid race move by Hugh Bowman was the winning move with the top jockey letting Griante slide up outside the leader when the pace slackened in the middle stages.

Bowman was then able to sit as long as he liked and when he let the Good Journey mare go at the 300m, she proved too strong for her opposition.

“I was just beaten for pace early and I expected her to be in the first two or three but she just couldn’t go with them early,” Bowman said.

“I was going to be four wide with no cover, but the pace really slackened and I was just able to roll around without really putting all engines on, got outside the leader, she relaxed well there.”

“She gave a good kick, but she was tired late I must admit. She was quite well placed here today.”

Today’s win was Griante’s sixth from fourteen starts and lifted her prizemoney to well over $470,000.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.