Gringotts Forced To Dance With Superstars On Path To Threepeat

A third Listed Big Dance (1600m) is firmly in the sights of Group One winner Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) but the Ciaron Maher stable is wary the presence of two superstars against him at Randwick on Saturday will make it hard for him to return a winner.

One or both of Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) and Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior) could potentially stand in Gringotts’ way for much of his build up to the A$3 million race on November 3.

Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said the six-year-old couldn’t be in better shape for the Gr.1 A$1 million Winx Stakes (1400m) and can only see him running a handy race despite the mares looming large over the race.

“As you can tell by his trials he’s very well,’’ he said.

“He always looks very well and is no different this time. He had a good base up at the beach.

“We asked him for a bit in his second trial, there was still a bit of condition on him, and he will naturally improve.

“Obviously he’s facing two very good mares but he’s good fresh and 1400m suits and he’s got a good draw. If you forget the two mares you want to be top four or top five and we’d be really happy.”

Gringotts started $5.50 in the Winx Stakes last year and didn’t appreciate a heavy 10 track but ran fifth behind Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock). He was $23 with TAB in the 2026 renewal.

He mixed it with the two big guns in the autumn, running second to Autumn Glow in the George Ryder (Gr.1, 1500m) and fourth behind Sheza Alibi in the Doncaster Mile (Gr.1, 1600m).

The gelding put himself in the Big Dance once again with his second win in the Gr.3 The Gong (1600m) at the end of last spring and it’ll be interesting to see what weight he’ll be asked to carry given he’s won the past two editions with 58.5kg and 62kg.

“It’s a race that’s there toward the back end of the carnival, it’s a good prizemoney race and would be good to get that done again,’’ Gerard-Dubord said.

“The fact he has to face those mares along the way makes it hard for him to win races early in the prep.”