Griffin double keeps him on top

DAN Griffin bagged a double at the Gold Coast today to retain his two-win margin over rival Dale Missen in the jockeys’ premiership.
Griffin went into today’s meeting two clear and maintained that lead after Missen also completed a winning double. Griffin, chasing a record sixth straight Gold Coast premiership, leads Missen 28 to 26 at the halfway mark of the season.
Griffin was successful today on the Patinack Farm filly Dibella in the Barry Bowditch QTIS 3YO Maiden Hcp (900m) and on the promising Brisbane three-year-old Barrassie Brother (pictured) in the Maryann Thexton C,G&E Class 1 Hcp (1200m).
Dibella, a daughter of Lonhro, was resuming since finishing unplaced at Morphettville, Sale and Ballarat in her only three runs last year. But she indicated she was ready to improve this preparation after two recent handy trial efforts in Queensland.
Sent out the $3 equal favourite, Dibella settled in fifth spot and finished off the race in fine style, coming away for a comfortable 1-1/4 length win.
The Kelly Schweida-trained Barrassie Brother is now unbeaten in two runs this preparation after his easy win this afternoon.
The three-year-old son of Schweida’s former good sprinter Top Marc resumed for a very easy win in a Gold Coast Maiden on January 21 and served up similar treatment to his rivals in today’s Class 1.
 Barrassie Brother ($2.40 fav) kicked away over the closing stages to down Run With Me ($2.90) by 2-1/2 lengths with Solar Heart ($7) three-quarters of a length away in third.
“He’s a very nice horse,’’ said Griffin.
Barrassie Brother is raced in similar interests to his ill-fated sire Top Marc, who died after only a few seasons at stud.
Top Marc won 12 races and just over $400,00 in prizemoney before being retired in 2007.
Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd