Exciting prospect Griffon made a stunning return for trainer Bart Cummings at Randwick on Wednesday after more than a year on the sidelines.The four-year-old, who started the $3.20 favourite, was having just his second start in the Festival Of Sydney Handicap (1100m) and rocketed to a three length win over El Zegri.It was Flying Spur gelding Griffon's first run since his debut third to Pinwheel at Canterbury in October 2008.Griffon, who was ridden by Glyn Schofield, was third on the fence for m
Exciting prospect Griffon made a stunning return for trainer Bart Cummings at Randwick on Wednesday after more than a year on the sidelines.
The four-year-old, who started the $3.20 favourite, was having just his second start in the Festival Of Sydney Handicap (1100m) and rocketed to a three length win over El Zegri.
It was Flying Spur gelding Griffon's first run since his debut third to Pinwheel at Canterbury in October 2008.
Griffon, who was ridden by Glyn Schofield, was third on the fence for most of the race before veering out sharply near the 250 metres and making a blazing run to win the race in a course record time of 1.02.20s.
Cummings was very pleased with the effort and predicted a bright future for the horse.
"He's always showed a bit of promise," Cummings said.
"He's had a few problems and we've just been patient with him. We'd like to keep improving his record and then maybe go for a nice race from there."
Griffon, who came into the race after a nose second to Seeking Attention in a 740 metre barrier trial at Randwick on January 4, is part-owned by Cummings' long-time friend and client Dato Tan Chin Nam.
Meanwhile, leading trainer Chris Waller and top jockey Nash Rawiller agreed that Key West was a Group horse in the making after he scored on debut in the www.royalrandwick.com Hcp (1100m).
Ridden patiently by Rawiller, Key West sat behind the leading pair of St Augustine and Samui Lad who engaged in a two-horse battle on straightening until the winner made his move in the final 100 metres.
Key West, who defied a massive betting drift from $9.50 to $16, exploded once given free rein by Rawiller to defeat Samui Lad ($12) by a short half-head with $1.40 favourite St Augustine a long head away third.
Out of the Kenmare mare Floridays, Key West is three-quarter brother to well-performed stablemate Altered Boy who is nominated for Rosehill on Saturday.
The three-year-old is raced by the same owners as Altered Boy and Waller told them recently that Key West was something special.
"I spoke to the owners at the Gold Coast recently and said `you might have a Group horse'," Waller said.
"He's still immature and we need to keep our feet on the ground...I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled up a bit `jarry' (jarred up) after this and we give him a spell."
Rawiller was very impressed with the run.
"I think he's a Group horse down the track for sure, he's done a very good job today," Rawiller said.