Trainer Theo Kieser and the Gryphon Stable combined to win Singapore’s inaugural Inglis Melbourne Juvenile Stakes last year and they were back in business with precocious youngster Griffin on Sunday.

Griffin (Sequalo) won the first juvenile event of the year with an all-the-way victory over dead-heaters Jackpot (Artie Schiller) and Zeus Thunder (Enemy of Average).  “He jumped so well and it was important to keep him balanced,” jockey Joao Moreira said.  “I was able to get a soft lead and felt no pressure through the race.”

Griffin cost $46,000 at the Magic Millions.  “I thought he was a nice individual at the yearling sales,” Kieser said.  “And so did a few others as there were four of us bidding on him.”

Kieser and the Gryphon Stable claimed the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Juvenile Stakes with Kaiser.  The Seidnazar gelding bounced back from injury to win his fifth race on the support card in Singapore on Sunday.

The Inglis Melbourne Juvenile Stakes is the first leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe Series which culminates with the G2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe on May 18.

Kieser is a former assistant to Laurie Laxon and is swiftly earning himself a reputation as being a dab hand with juveniles.  He has been a prolific buyer at the Australian sales over the past couple of years and has a number of other two-year-olds ready to step out soon.

Lyndhurst Stud sire Sequalo got Griffin from unraced Fusaichi Pegasus mare Fupeg Magic.  She has since foaled colts by Red Dazzler and  Real Saga.

Second dam Darmala (Danehill) won in Sydney and Brisbane and she is a half-sister to the dam of G1 Adelaide Cup winner Demerger (Saithor).