New stables have Griffiths horses firing

Trainer Robbie Griffiths says the move to the new on-course stables at Cranbourne has been the making of his team.

Since making the shift two months ago, Griffiths has collected two stakes races with the promise of more.

Selenia won the Group Three Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 23 while The Quarterback won the Group Two Gilgai Stakes at Flemington last Sunday.

Selenia runs in the Group Three Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

“The stables have been a big help, especially with The Quarterback,” Griffiths said.

“He’s at that age where you don’t see them come on as they do from two to three but he seems to have really come on this campaign.

“I’m putting that down to the new location. There’s no anxiety, he’s relaxed and all the horses seem really happy.

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“If you’re in a happy workplace, you’re going to perform well.”

Griffiths said Selenia was more relaxed in the new environment and said the were an important part of her last-start win.

The trainer resisted applying the head gear to Selenia previously as she was keen in her races and he thought blinkers might make her over-race.

However Griffiths said she was timid racing between runners when unplaced at her previous run at Flemington under Jye McNeil.

“She had been a Flemington winner before so Jye thought she wasn’t concentrating without the blinkers,” Griffiths said.

“We put them on and she flew in training and at Moonee Valley she turned the corner and won.

“When she was stuck three-wide with no cover I thought she would burn herself out but she settled well and pinged off the bend and broke the field up enough to get a break and win.

“With that knowledge now and seeing how effective it was you would have to think she will go well in them again.”