Racing: Griffin next exciting roll-out from the Gingernuts team

Like his older brother Griffin doesn't mind the wet. Photo / Trish Dunell

With the dust settled on the three-year-old season of transtasman group one winner Gingernuts, Te Akau is about to launch his full-brother Griffin on the New Zealand racing scene.

The two-year-old gelding comfortably took out his 800m heat at Tuesday's Avondale trials and now has his connections looking to the future.

"We were happy with him leading into the trial as he was doing some nice work," said Stephen Autridge, who trains Griffin in partnership with Jamie Richards.

"We were expecting a good performance from him and we got it. He has come through it well, so now we are looking for a nice easy race for him in two or three weeks."

Given the deeds of his older brother on rain-affected going, the Te Akau team are not phased by the promise of wet tracks.

Griffin also shares some other similarities with his group one-winning brother.

"He is exactly the same colour but not as tall, this fellow would be about 15.2, but he is a stronger type," Autridge said.

"They've both got great attitudes and you don't mind doing anything with them, they are very kind."

Griffin was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis from Taranaki breeder Chris Thompson for $90,000 through Gavelhouse. Thompson has retained 10 per cent and is among the Te Akau Slam Dunk Syndicate which will race the son of Iffraaj and Double Elle.

• Sir Patrick Hogan has announced that Tavistock's 2017 fee will remain unchanged at $65,000 + GST.

He admitted he had serious thinking to do before deciding not to raise the stallion's fee in reaction to the demand from breeders and outstanding racetrack and sales results.

"Marcus [Corban, stud manager] and I have just returned from Sydney and the demand from Australian breeders has remained strong," Sir Patrick said. "We took nearly 30 applications for bookings to Tavistock just in the few days we were there."

Associate stallion Power's service fee has increased to $12,500 + GST on the back of a terrific season for the sire.

Burgundy's fee has also risen to $7000 + GST while group one-producing Danehill sire Keeper's fee has been reduced to $5000 + GST.

- NZ Racing Desk