Griffiths eyes straight race for Deja Blue

Trainer Robbie Griffiths has switched plans with sprinting mare Deja Blue who runs in a 1000m-straight race at Flemington.

A programming change at Sandown prompted Griffiths to turn his attention to Flemington on Saturday.

The mare was going to run on the Lakeside course at Sandown on Wednesday but the meeting was switched to the Hillside track which meant a distance change.

“I was going to run her at Sandown but when that race got changed to 1300 metres I thought it was too big a jump,” Griffiths said.

“Although she hasn’t raced at Flemington, the 1000 metres up the straight I think will suit her.”

With meetings scheduled at Moe and Moonee Valley on Friday and Flemington, Stawell and Cranbourne on Saturday, Griffiths has strong numbers at each venue.

With 10 horses nominated for Flemington, Griffiths says at this stage he plans to have two runners, possibly three.

As well as Deja Blue, Aurum Spirit starts in the benchmark 84 race over 1600m.

He will study the entries at Flemington and Cranbourne before deciding whether Southern Spur joins the pair.

“It’s free nominations and it gives you options,” Griffiths said.

Griffiths also nominted Hula Star and Dance With Fontein in the 1000m-race at Flemington but said the pair would run at Werribee on Sunday.

Eight-year-old Aurum Spirit rarely runs a bad race and Griffiths said his unplaced finish at Moonee Valley last time was better than it looked.

“He’s going well the old boy and he should be suited in that sort of race on Saturday,” Griffiths said.

Southern Spur, a debut Moe winner in the colours of The Quarterback who gave Griffiths his first Group One win, is entered for a three-year-old race at Flemington and a Class One race at Cranbourne on Saturday night.

Griffiths is concerned the Flemington race may be too tough at this stage of Southern Spur’s career.

“He’s only a little fellow and I think I’ll have a look at the races,” Griffiths said.

“His mum (Spurcific) was good at Flemington and hopefully he might be also.”