Dan Griffin is gunning for his 10th Gold Coast jockeys premiership
The Gold Coast jockeys premiership is set to come down to the wire. On one side is a Gold Coaster whose return to the city in recent years has already delivered a title while the other is a man searching for a record 10th crown.
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DAN Griffin is three wins from extending his jockeys premiership record to 10 in a feat he believes will never be matched.
The man dubbed the King of the Coast for his legendary career sits two wins behind current leader Ryan Plumb who has 25 for the 2019-20 season.
But Plumb is injured and won’t be back before next season, opening the door for Griffin, 39, to make a late charge for the title with three meetings left.
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“It’s not over until it’s over but I’ll be going hard,” Griffin said.
“I don’t think anyone will ever do it again, that’s for sure.
“The turf club has been a great supporter of mine and although I don’t live on the Gold Coast, I still class it as my home track.”
It’s uncertain if Griffin will be able to return to add to the impending record, with the hoop revealing he is due to undergo further surgery on his shoulder and potentially his knee post-season.
Griffin has had problems with both in the past and his shoulder dislocates nearly every time he rides.
“I don’t feel the pain through the race but it’s more when I finish the day and by the time I get home and get out of the car. That is when I feel it.
“I’ll persevere. I have it set in my head to get to 10 and I’m putting everything else behind me.
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“If surgery is successful then I’ll be back.”
The Sunshine Coast resident’s bid to reach 10 premierships this season looked in doubt when Racing Queensland introduced zones that riders and trainers had to remain in during COVID-19 but a recent relaxation has enabled him to return to the Gold Coast.
Griffin has eight rides booked in for Saturday’s Gold Coast race meeting.
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