By Lachlan Mitchell
Long-time Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths was presented at the newly refurbished Cranbourne RSL, aptly renamed Silks, with a commemorative piece by the Cranbourne Turf Club last week after King Magnus won the Cranbourne Cup in November last year.
Griffiths was presented the piece alongside his 95-year-old grandfather Don Smith.
The win was Griffith’s first Cranbourne Cup and he was honoured to win the biggest race on the local calendar for the first time.
“It’s fantastic for me personally being a Cranbourne boy, this year in particular it was the first time being run at a mile. It was the first with my partner Matthew De Kock and it was the first half a million-dollar TAB Cranbourne Cup, it was a very special day, “Griffiths recalled.
Griffith’s 95-year-old grandfather, a fellow thoroughbred and greyhound trainer in his own right, was on hand to witness the special occasion.
“You can’t beat it, it’s really special,” Smith said.
Smith was Griffith’s inspiration for training and getting into the industry and his grandfather also fought in World War II.
“I used to go to the races with pop as a young man and I use to ride winners for pop and he always said feed them well and they will do the rest,” Griffiths said with a smile.
“Pop’s the oldest RSL member coming here for over 20 years, he’s got pride of place so it’s very special,” Griffiths said.
Griffiths and his training partner De Kock are now aiming King Magnus at the lucrative All-Star Mile to be run at Flemington on Saturday 19 March.
The upcoming All-Star Mile – with the field voted by the public – is filled with the best horses in the country including Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant.
“King Magnus is such a genuine competitor, who always rises to the occasion, although it’s a big challenge, we think he is up for it,” Griffiths said.
The winning trainer has only one thing to say about his new golden boy.
“Vote for the King to get him in,“ he said.
Voting for the All-Star Mile closes on Sunday 13 February via allstarmile.com.au. Each proof of vote sent to info@cranbourneturfclub.com.au wins a chance to win a free Cranbourne racing Membership to the end of the season and entry to the All-Star Mile Marquee at Cranbourne on 11 March – and a chance at $250,000.
