Mudgee tips: The Mack Griffith-trained Amicus Curiae to prove the punters friend

Local trainer Mack Griffith holds a strong hand with his five runners and has an ace to play with leading jockey Aaron Bullock to ride four of them at Mudgee.

Amicus Curiae and jockey Aaron Bullock reunite at Mudgee. Picture: Bradley Photos

Mack Griffith could very well be contesting a Ramornie Handicap this month and the $2 million ATC Kosciuszko (1200m) in October with his Mudgee marvel, Compelling Truth.

Before any of that, Griffith, and the State’s Champion Jockey Aaron Bullock, look set to conquer the Mudgee meeting including the Gooree Park Benchmark 82 Handicap (1400m).

Bullock has ridden Griffith’s Cup fancy Amicus Curiae three times, winning twice.

Fast forward to the present and the powerfully-built son of Choisir was nothing short of barnstorming in a deep Benchmark 82 at Tamworth, passing all bar The Dramatist.

“His two runs back from a spell have been enormous really. He’s got back and attacked the line,” Griffith said.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

Amicus Curiae takes out the @MudgeeRaceClub Country Championship Qualifier is tough fashion!@Mitchwbell26 with a well measured ride for Mack Griffith.

Possibly So was runner up and also qualifies for Andrew Ryan. pic.twitter.com/Z2WIkKlbAJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 19, 2023

“The horse that won at Tamworth, it got beat at its last start in Sydney but before that, he won the Country Cup on Scone Cup Day so there is good form out the race and even though it is the same rating race, I think it is an easier race (on Sunday).

“He’s drawn terrible again but I think it is a winnable race for him.”

Griffith and Bullock will no doubt carry the weight of expectation - and most of the punter’s cash - when the exciting Medinah resumes in the Byrne’s Jewellers Country Boosted Class 2 Handicap (1400m).

The former Victorian’s record under Griffith’s management is an impressive two wins, two seconds and a third from only half a dozen runs in New South Wales.

One of those wins was at Mudgee over 1400m where he easily accounted for Elson Boy and company.

“Medinah has got top weight and a wide barrier again first-up over 1400m so he will need to be good to win but I think he’s got the ability to make a nice horse,” his trainer said.

“He would need to improve but he is in the right area to win a (Country Championship) Heat because it is obviously one of the weakest areas.”

For the record, Medinah was purchased online in 2023 for $50,000 having won $24,890 for his previous owners.

Compelling Truth makes it back-to-back wins on the trot! pic.twitter.com/NpVtIVOx2D

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 16, 2024

His balance ahead of this weekend’s return is $72,890.

Another former southerner now residing at Mudgee is Sanzeno who was placed twice in his four runs for Grahame Begg.

The son of Trapeze Artist was $1.40 into $1.26 at his New South Wales debut, beaten a nose in the 1200m Tamworth Maiden on June 21.

“It was his first go for us so we were still learning a bit about him last start and we were toying with the idea of putting blinkers on so we thought we would go without them,” Griffith explained.

“In hindsight, we probably should have put them on so he’s got blinkers on this time. The other day he had a pretty tough run, not much Aaron could do from that draw, but this time he has drawn a lot better so he should have a softer run.”

Griffith, meanwhile, gave this update on I Am Invincible and Speak Fondly gelding Compelling Truth who has won his three starts by a combined total of 18 lengths.

“We are going to take him over to Grafton for the carnival.” Griffith said.

“It would be nice if he could sneak into the Ramornie with a lightweight but if that’s too strong, we’ll just go the next day into the Kirby.”

SHAYNE O’CASS’ TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 5 No. 4: Amicus Curiae

Ran a huge race in a good race at Tamworth second-up. Peaking for this and has Bullock to help overcome the wide draw.

Trainer Mack Griffith prepares leading contenders Amicus Curiae and Medinah.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No. 1: Medinah

Bad draw but has Bullock on as was the case when he beat Elson Boy here last preparation.

VALUE BET

Race 2 No. 5: Rapid Impact

Last start winner (with Bullock on), very fit and in the ideal race so long as it’s not too wet.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 6, 9

Race 5: 4

Race 6: 1, 2

Race 7: 6, 9, 13, 14

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

You won’t get rich backing him in the Jockeys Challenge but it has to be Aaron Bullock.

INSIDE MAIL - MUDGEE

RACE 1

Sanzeno has placed twice in Victoria from his four starts down there for Grahame Begg. The son of Trapeze Artist was $1.40 into $1.28 when he made his NSW debut at Tamworth on June 21 for new trainer Mack Griffith. He got beaten by a very narrow margin, true that he seemed to have his chance, but it would be unwise to sack him off that alone. His big obstacle is Lanwar, the lightly-raced Gayna Williams gelding who is crying out for 1200m now. Big Shot Legend is an improver, but he would need to in this strong Maiden Plate.

Bet: Sanzeno to win, quinella 3, 4

RACE 2

Rapid Impact was scratched from Goulburn on Friday, perhaps because of the Heavy 8. Whatever the case, the Marc Conners-trained galloper looks beautifully placed on the weekend having won his last start with Aaron Bullock sticking for this one. Junebug is a lightly-raced mare who is very fit and at her right trip again. Has to be included on all that she has done here and in France before that. Majorian is a last start winner and a brave on-pacer to boot.

Bet: Rapid Impact to win

A blanket finish in the Muswellbrook opener and it goes the way of Rapid Impact! @[e-mail]/TMwNiqSXHc

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 17, 2024

RACE 3

Warilla Gorilla was runner-up at Goulburn on debut prior to his distant third to the handy Little Cointreau at Hawkesbury. He spelled and resumed with an 11th of 13 at Scone but he missed the start by six lengths so let’s give him the benefit of the doubt for that. Has trialled well since too. Dubbo resident Divine Belle has placed at three of her five starts. In fact, she was inches away from winning an 1100m at home on June 30. Gigaton has been close-up in some decent Maidens since he arrived in NSW.

Bet: Warilla Gorilla to win

RACE 4

British Statesman, a son of Churchill, has won four times in 14 starts; the latest victory coming as recently as June 24 where he led throughout for a somewhat decisive win over 1100m with 61.5kg too so all credit to him for that. He is up from a 58 to a 66 but he drops 2kg and looks up to the challenge. Foxwell won a Maiden and a Class 1 at his last two and here we are in a Bm66. That’s not easy but he is a very progressive gelding. Minnewater, another of the Gayna Willianm’s runners. is consistent enough to consider.

Bet: British Statesman to win

RACE 5

Amicus Curiae has been above-average from day one, literally, when Aaron Bullock steered him to his easy win on debut at Scone. Fast forward to the present and the Gooree -bred gelding is third-up off a barnstorming second to The Dramatist in an 82 at Tamworth. Fletchlo is a talented horse. That much is clear given he has won four from 12, placed in two others and hasn’t always had the best of luck either. Given clear air and an uninterrupted run, he could win anything that he is eligible for.

Bet: Amicus Curiae to win, exacta 4 to beat 10, Daily Double 1st Leg (4), 2nd Leg (6)

Aaron Bullock rides Amicus Curiae and Medinah. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

Medinah is another one of Mack Griffith’s major players on the day. This descendant of The Queen’s broodmare gem, Highclere, has an overall record of two wins and six placings (five of them seconds) from 13 starts. Take note that he is ‘522113’ for Mack Griffith. One of the wins, he beat Elson Boy. Trialled like a bomb at Scone the other day. Cheap Gas, the cleverly-named son of Santos, has a tidy record. He came from 12 of 12 to beat a pretty handy 58 field at Narromine last start. Bliss is one for one at this track and distance.

Bet: Medinah to win, exacta 1 to beat 2

RACE 7

Zarizatycoon blew like a gale (for no good reason) on debut, $2.90 out to $4,40, yet ended up leading the whole way and winning by a length. This half-brother Tags is clearly a real talent; he could in a Highway of one comes along at the right time. As for the race, unless the barrier beats him, he might just be too good. Tincity was $6 to $9 at Wagga on debut on June 17 but she too proved the market wrong by winning easily. Maryland Bridge’s only win so far (and there will be more) was second-up as she is here.

Bet: Zarizatycoon to win