The Quarterback stars on Oaks Day

Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths’ amazing run of success on Oaks Day continued on Thursday, when The Quarterback out of Gilgai Farm mare Soorena raced away to win the Dilmah Stakes. Even Griffiths himself cannot put a finger on why his stable excels on the third day of the world-renowned spring carnival at Flemington.

His success on Oaks Day goes back to 1996, when he won the first greys race. Since then, the former jockey has won the Country Cup on two occasions and a sprinkling of other races during the week at Flemington. The Quarterback showed the depth of quality he possesses when he came from a long way back to gather in his rivals, in a startling performance that was not lost on his trainer.

“He’s an exciting horse, he’s got a massive finish and when he unleashes it, like he did today, he’s exciting to watch,” Griffiths said. “I was concerned with how far back he was in the run, but I can see that Matthew [Allen] had a good hold on him and he knows that he can time a run like that on him, so he’s got a lot of belief in the horse and he knows his capabilities.”

The Quarterback

Dam: Soorena

Sire: Street Boss

2010 (5YO)