‘Griffo gave us a push over the line’: Arapaho’s Zipping Classic win a tonic for grieving connections

Days after the funeral of part-owner Paul Griffin, who was killed in a senseless one-punch attack in Sydney, Arapaho has delivered a much-needed boost for connections with a memorable Zipping Classic triumph.

The late Paul Griffin (left), pictured with his daughter Dana, was a part-owner of Saturday's Zipping Classic winner Arapaho. Pictures: Supplied, Racing Photos

Triumph in Saturday’s Zipping Classic at Caulfield ended a tough week for Arapaho’s connections.

Jockey Rachel King drove Arapaho to the line over the top of the game frontrunner Smokin’ Romans in the last 100m of the $750,000 event.

King said she might have had a little help from the heavens late in the Group 2 contest from Arapaho’s late part-owner Paul Griffin.

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A rugby league identity in Sydney, Griffin was killed in a senseless one-punch attack in a pub in the city’s northwest on Melbourne Cup Day.

Griffin was laid to rest in the days leading up to the Zipping Classic.

“It was extra special today, we lost one of his owners not long ago and had his funeral this week so I think ‘Griffo’ gave us a push over the line today,” King said.

One punch victim Paul Griffin.

A flight delay in Sydney caused King to miss her first ride at Caulfield but Arapaho made up for it with his strong performance.

“We knew it was going to be worth it once we got here,” King said.

“Slight delay in Sydney getting here but nothing was going to stop me from coming down to ride this horse.”

The Bjorn Baker-trained Arapaho dropped in class after a competitive effort in the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington while getting up to 2400m for the first time since his win in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes in March last year.

The Zipping Classic’s trio of Group 1 winners filled three of the first four placings, with Smokin’ Romans boxing on well for second.

English Derby winner Serpentine was fourth behind the consistent Berkeley Square.

Rachel King times Arapaho's run to perfection to win the Zipping Classic! 🙌@[e-mail]/ptvSMdGz47

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King said Arapaho did all the work in the Zipping Classic, travelling in his customary smooth fashion throughout before proving too tough in the straight.

“He’s a dream,” King said.

“I can’t take much credit for it, he gets out there and does it.

“Good, soft or heavy (tracks), he does the same and I wish all horses tried like him – he’s just got the biggest heart.”

Baker’s representative Luke Hilton, who is also King’s husband, said Arapaho’s work on Tuesday morning convinced the Warwick Farm trainer he had the eight-year-old back to his best.

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“His work on Tuesday, Bjorn said to me, he said ‘I’ve never ever had a stayer, or him, work like he did on Tuesday’,” Hilton said.

“So we came full of confidence.

“The track was obviously a little bit of a question mark – he has won on heavy before – but it was a really good result and he’s back.”

Originally published as ‘Griffo gave us a push over the line’: Arapaho’s Zipping Classic win a tonic for grieving connections