Griffin was backed from odds against in the morning into 1/2 for the Thomastown Stables Median Auction Maiden and he collected, but only just.

The two-year-old son of Encosta De Lago then had to survive a steward's enquiry (edged slightly left virtually on line) before being confirmed the short head victor over his only market rival (14s bar two) Free Art

Johnny Murtagh rode Mrs Evie Stockwell's once previously raced (3rd to Eskimo over the course and distance last month) colt for David Wachman. He had to battle hard to see off the always prominent Free Art (led from before the straight) from the two furlong pole.

The Tote dividends for a place on the first three home Griffin (S.P. 1/2), Free Art (S.P. 11/4) and Bendzoldan (S.P. 66/1) were 1.02.