Legendary trainer Bart Cummings unearthed a likely stakes performer of the future at Randwick today when Griffon treated his rivals with contempt in the Festival of Sydney Handicap (1100m).

Despite racing greenly for much of the race, Griffon was able to come with a brilliant burst in the straight and race away to win by three lengths.

The performance impressed racegoers and punters who sent him out the favourite following a debut third over a year ago behind talented Sydney galloper Pinwheel.

Cummings said the four-year-old son of Flying Spur had always shown ability, but time was needed for him to start showing his true ability.

“He’s always shown a fair bit of promise,” Cummings commented. “His (recent) trial was very impressive.”

“And he won accordingly,” he added.

Cummings said the gelding had taken time to get back on track after his debut and connections had to be patient waiting for today.

“He’s had a few little problems – but they’re fixed.”

A step up to Saturday grade is next on the agenda for Griffon – as to how far he can progress, only time will tell.

“Hopefully he can win a couple of Saturday races to improve his record a bit and then we’ll decide after that.”

Winning rider Glyn Schofield was impressed with how the gelding quickened in the straight and predicted further improvement as the gelding matured into the future.

“He was quick out of the gate,” he said. “He was nice and fresh today.”

“He raced a bit greenly near the fence approaching the turn but once he got out he lengthened away well.”

“There’s lots of untapped potential there,” Schofield added. “He wasn’t taking on maiden class today – he was taking on some decent campaigners and he’s blown them away.”

“It’s onwards and upwards,” Schofield summed up.

The likely prospect caught the eye of Cummings at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast and he went to $210,000 to secure him from the draft of Orange Grove Thoroughbreds.

Griffon, by top Arrowfield Stud sire Flying Spur, is from a winning and Melbourne and Adelaide placed Jeune mare Jeune Girl.

Being a daughter of the triple stakes winning juvenile Joker’s Girl, Jeune Girl is a half sister to Absolutelyfabulous – a winner of five races including the Group Three Cameron Handicap.

Griffon’s third dam is none other than the outstanding Biscay race mare Scarlet Bisque – a winner of eight races including the Group One Oakleigh Plate.

Meanwhile, Sarenko lowered the colours of much talked about blue blood Coubertin at Geelong this afternoon.

A $120,000 purchase for the team from Wadham Park at the 2006 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sarenko is a half brother to stakes placegetter Our Heir Apparent.

His dam, the winning Encosta de Lago mare La Quinta Gold, is a full sister to the group winners Gold Lottey and Besame Mucho.

Further back it is also the family of the champion mare and three time Melbourne Cup winner, Makybe Diva.