Co-trainer David Brideoake will head towards a run on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November with his honest mare Griante after her 2014 Sprint Series Final win at Caulfield today.

Griante wins the 2014 Sprint Series Final on Caulfield Guineas Day. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

The four-year-old daughter of Good Journey has had a number of breathing and other issues plaguing her career, but has always put in a top effort winning four of her 11 starts leading up to the $150,000 Group 3 Sportingbet Sprint Series Final (1200m).

Closing the Caulfield Guineas Day action, the mares-only showdown was Griante’s third run of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival following two fourth place finishes.

She improved today then for her break through black-type success, more at the same grade likely to come after her and in-form jockey Dwayne Dunn’s gutsy performance in the Group 3.

Griante ($8.50) was able to beat home two better fancied mares on the line with Girl Guide ($3.50), previously undefeated this time in, running second on the back of a Group 3 How Now Stakes win over this track and distance on September 20.

Third in the How Now was then today’s $2.50 favourite Shamal Wind for Robert Smerdon who held on for third, the market mover at the very top of her grade here but brave in defeat having come from last on the turn to finish in the money.

Shamal Wind was away from the barriers early but dropped back to last while Brilliant Bisc for Peter Moody got up on the inside to lead, Girl Guide settling in third out wide.

The eventual third placegetter scorched up the middle with 200m to go however but it was the beautifully ridden Griante who got the winners’ cheque.

“She’s pretty tough,” Dunn told TVN after the win.

“She’s got wind problems, a few other issues, that’s something we need to deal with but I’m more than happy to win a race like that today.

“She’s been around the mark without really knocking on the door.

“Good to see her back on track.”

Brideoake, who trains at Mornington in partnership with David Feek, said it would be onto the $120,000 Listed Fillies & Mares Handicap (1200m) at Geelong on Geelong Cup Day, October 22, next.

Then, all going well, Griante would be backing up on Melbourne Cup Day, November 4, in the $200,000 Group 3 Maybe Mahal Stakes (1400m) – the mare boasting winning form right up to a mile.

“She was lovely,” he said of her Guineas Day performance.

“She’s got a very quick sprint, at the 250m, he used her today and we were a little closer than last time.

“It’s great. She’s a home bred.

“She’s pretty versatile and we hope to be getting out a little further towards the end of the carnival.

“Probably go to Geelong for a mares’ race there then we’ll run her on (Melbourne) Cup Day over 1400m.”

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2014 Sprint Series Final Results & Finishing Order

Caulfield Race 10 – 11/10/2014