Gawler Gold Gifts Griffiths Group Race Breakthrough

ASHLEE Griffiths and partner Cameron Forshaw have been marking time for a Group victory all year but savoured their success with Adhana Rico when taking out Sunday's Group 3 Gawler Gold Cup.

“Yep, it's our first Group win,” said Ashlee today. “We have been in a few Group finals this year without success.”

Adhana Rico (Fernando Bale-Bella Rico), a Victorian purchase just two months ago, has earned $40,000 for the couple since joining their South Australian kennel.

He just wore down Stout Monelli on the line to win the Gawler Gold Cup in 30.81 with Springvale Max in third.

It takes his record to 56 starts for 15 wins and $142,000.

“He stumbled out of the boxes when second in his heat the week before,” said Ashlee.

“I was in the kennels that night getting a swab done when a friend came down to tell me he had drawn the red in the Cup final.

“At first, I didn't believe them until Cameron came over and said it was true.”

The red was perfect for the recent Group 1 Adelaide Cup finalist.

“But when Stout Monelli got to the front I thought there was no way to run him down, but luckily he got the job done,” said Ashlee.

“We are both so excited to win our first Group race.”

Immediate plans are just to take Adhana Rico back to Angle Park for Thursday night racing.

“There are some feature races coming up in December and we will target those with him,” said Ashlee.

“He's well and truly paid for himself now.”