Following an impressive all-the-way win at Moonee Valley, Saluted could soon be on an interstate mission for the Robbie Griffiths stable.
After scoring over 1200m at Pakenham earlier this month, the speedy filly dropped back in distance for Saturday’s Evergreen Turf Handicap (1000m) — and delivered another convincing performance.
Stable representative Adrian Joyce confirmed that a Stakes assignment interstate is now under serious consideration.
“We’ll have to have a look and see, whether we go to Brisbane or Adelaide, but she’s pretty good this filly,” Joyce said.
“So that’s what we will try and do now, find a Stakes race.
“The first day we ran her we were worried about the 1100 (metres) and back to the thousand today, we knew it was her trip because she has plenty of speed.
“She had trialled well on baddish ground at Cranbourne, so we were pretty confident that she would go on it today.”
Ridden by Jye McNeil, Saluted ($2.90) dictated terms throughout to record a dominant 2-½ length victory over Alzaro ($18), with hot favourite All Pink ($1.80) finishing a further 1-¾ lengths back in third.
McNeil, who remains unbeaten aboard the filly, admitted that the softer surface was the main concern heading into the race.
“With the wetter surface today, that was going to be a question mark,” McNeil said.
“She had been on that ground in jump-outs, but it’s different under race conditions, but she acquitted herself really well and she’s obviously a talent.
“Today, she was more relaxed when she found the front and that was only going to help her be stronger late.
“It was great to reunite with her today and her future certainly looks bright.”
The Griffiths stable made it a memorable day by securing a two-state double, with Legacy Bound also capturing the Group 3 Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.


