Gaffa handsome winner of John Grigg Stakes

Press, 7 September 1983, Page 40

Gaffa handsome winner of John Grigg Stakes

By

J. J. BOYLE

Gaffa did not have to preach to many of the hitherto unconverted about his qualities when he won the John Grigg Stakes at Ashburton yesterday.

He faced his stiffest test so far yesterday, but passed it with style and ease to extend his unbeaten record to three wins for his Riccarton owner-trainer, Dave Kerr. “As I’ve said before, he’s a top horse, one of those lazy fellows who’ll always bring out a bit extra,” Kerr said after his home-bred’s win in the Ashburton club’s feature race for three-year-olds.

Discussing Gaffa’s future, Kerr said he had not received a firm offer but would now show any interet in any price short of $lOO,OOO. Kerr is now being rewarded for his great exercise of patience with Gaffa as a two-year-old last season.

Instead of racing the youngster, Kerr took him to

Auckland last summer as a travelling companion for his New Zealand Derby hopeful, Clansman.

When they were at Takanini, Nigel Tiley rode Gaffa in some of his work, and labelled the sedate, well mannered My Friend Paul gelding as a “comer.” Kerr hopes to be back at Ellerslie next summer with Gaffa, but this time it will be all business, with at least one rich prize beckoning.

Dave Kerr does not concern himself with metrics. “He’s a mile and a half horse,” Kerr said after Gaffa won yesterday. “All going well he will run in the New Zealand Derby.” But before then Gaffa will be prepared for the Dunedin Guineas, then the New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas.

“We’ll also give some thought to a start in the weight-for-age Timaru 1200 at Washdyke next week,” he said.

Chris Johnson, the successful jockey, was enthusiastic about the quality of Gaffa’s performance. “He was cruising coming to the home turn. Then when Tirana kicked again on the inside of me he pulled out that bit extra without any trouble. “He’s a lazy fellow, but he’s some racehorse,” Johnson said.

Tirana, in only his second start, emerged with many of the honours in lasting for second by a length from Donizetti, which gave it a good try for a front-running victory.

Donizetti was in blinkers and he “floated,” early when

David Walsh was intent on getting him into a clear lead.

Donizetti was more settled after about 400 metres and rushed away to a widish lead, at such a rate that Walsh had early hopes of victory.

Donizetti came under heavy pressure in the face of Tirana’s challenge early in the run home, and although his winning chance had disappeared all of 400 metres out, he showed plucky resistance for wouldbe challengers further down the field and saved third by a long neck from Pronto King. Hill’s Peak, Gaffa’s bestbacked rival in win betting, made ground to be close to a contending position near the home turn, but faded again and wound up eighth.