Stablemates set to clash down Flemington straight

Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock have their eyes focussed on a winter series final at Flemington with Typhoon Titmus.

To get to that race, Typhoon Titmus will need to run in a heat and earn points, but first the filly needs to get some match fitness.

That fitness will take the form of another sprint race at Flemington on Saturday where she will join stablemate in the ATA Trainers’ Trust Handicap (1100m).

Following Saturday’s outing, Typhoon Titmus is scheduled to return to Flemington on June 17 for a heat of the Leilani Series (1400m) and back-up again in the final, again over 1400m, on July 1.

Typhoon Titmus resumed her winter campaign over 1200m at Flemington on May 20 and the natural progression would have been to 1400m on Saturday, but de Kock said the filly was still underdone.

“We were very happy with her first-up run,” de Kock said.

“But she was very much underdone so that is why we’ve brought her back to another sprint race before we step her up in distance as we feel she is still slightly underdone.

“This should top her off nicely for two weeks’ time when we go into a heat of the Leilani Series over 1400 metres, and she’ll be ready by the time the final comes around.”

De Kock said the stable always had two pathways they could take with Typhoon Titmus.

While Typhoon Titmus builds on her fitness, Clock Strikes has proven a consistent sprinter winning twice during March and following up with two solid efforts at Sandown.

“His last two starts have been good, without being famous,” de Kock said.

“He should enjoy the straight racing, I would think. It’s a competitive race and it will be nice to see where we stack up.”

On ability, de Kock said Typhoon Titmus, who was placed in Stakes company on two occasions last spring, would be in front of her stablemate, but in a straight-out sprint, Clock Strikes may have the edge.

“They’re both at completely different stages of their preparations,” de Kock said.

“He (Clock Strikes) would be the sharper, more forward one, for sure.”