Having not raced for almost nine months, Bud – named after AFL champion Buddy Franklin – showed plenty of tenacity to win first-up at Donald last week.
Breeder-owner-trainer Christina Griffiths was pleased with the four-year-old’s performance and singled out Kyneton trainer George Osborne and jockey Dean Yendall for special praise.
“George’s expertise was very welcome, and I made sure Bud did a lot of swimming in recent months,” Griffiths said.
“Dean understands him extremely well, and gives him every chance to settle and be in the finish (Yendall has two wins and a second from his only rides on the lightly raced galloper).”
Griffiths has been kept very busy as a pre-trainer since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and said Bud had come back much stronger this time in work. He spends a lot of time out in the open on Griffiths’ Redesdale property and impressed in winning a trial before Christmas.
Precautionary measures delayed his return until Griffiths was fully satisfied he was forward enough to race.
Starting at $12 in the Leading Teams BM58 Handicap over 1000m, Bud settled off the pace then moved up between the 800m and 400m to lead.
“The challenges came in the straight, but he was pretty strong to the line,” the pleased owner-trainer said.
Less than two lengths separated the first five across the line.
Bud now has stake earnings of $28,663 from six starts.
