Trainer looks ahead after tragic day

Monday 24 December 2012, 4:47pm

The loss of stable favourite Beltrois is still raw for trainer Robbie Griffiths as he heads to Caulfield on Wednesday with a strong team.

Griffiths was devastated when "family pet" Beltrois had to be euthanased within minutes of winning the Red Tempo Handicap at Flemington when he stumbled and fell.

Jockey Ryan Maloney was thrown clear and was lucky to escape with a broken wrist.

"All trainers have their fatalities and injuries and that was a perfect example of how fragile thoroughbreds are," Griffiths told rsn.net.au.

"But that one, in particular, has been part of the family because I bred his mum (Vaingt Trois) and named all of her progeny after members of the family prior to them having an official race name.

"He was more like a family pet than just a racehorse so it was very distressing to not bring him home and patch him up and let him live out his days in the paddock," he said.

Griffiths said Beltrois went out "in fantastic style" winning first-up after 415 days off the scene.

He said Beltrois must have just relaxed his action and faltered after winning.

"He broke his shoulder which was quite a surprise because he'd been a very strong-boned horse his whole career and never seen a vet for any reason to be x-rayed or anything.

Maloney, meanwhile, will be sidelined after having surgery to wire and re-align his wrist.

Griffiths will have four runners at Caulfield, with at least three strong chances.

Gogonski, who ran fourth at Flemington on Saturday, has recovered well, but will get a final check on Wednesday before starting in the Allan Wicks Handicap (1800m).

"He's come thought the run well so if everything is in good order on Boxing Day morning we'll back him up," Griffiths said.

Gail runs in the Ken Stuart Handicap (1200m) but the mare is only beginning her campaign.

"She is in terrific order but she won't be competitive over 1200. She's a mare that races over a lot further. She might run on late and run fourth or fifth.

"I'm sure there's a race for her down the track but Wednesday's about kicking off the preparation," he said.

Vain Attration, is in the same race and is strongly fancied.

"She's in great order," Griffiths said. "She's in the right race and she's drawn well.

"She looks good and she was terrific last start at Caulfield. She's got a great affiliation with the track and I think she's going to be highly competitive again."

And the small-boned filly Act Two will be quick but could need the run in the Maxie Howell Handicap (1000m), Griffiths said.

– AAP

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