The Gong then Group Ones for exciting Gringotts
The Ciaron Maher stable will chase another rich mile race with in-form gelding Gringotts but believe the Autumn is where he’ll measure up against Group One company.
The five-year-old has won eight of sixteen starts, taking out the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick last start in a career best performance and the Maher stable were more than happy to go again in Saturday’s Group 3 The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange.
“He pulled up super. He’s probably a Jimmysstar-esque type horse six months prior, so he won the Big Dance, a $3 million race, which was fantastic. But we see him in time as that Group 1 handicapper,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.
With just three starts under the belt this preparation, Turnbull believes Gringotts has plenty left in the tank for another run, but suggested Saturday’s run will likely be it for this campaign.
“I think during the autumn (he’ll target Group Ones). He probably has a break after The Gong and then that’s him. And then, he’s in all sorts from 13 (hundred) to a mile potentially but he’s an exciting galloper.”
Similar to stablemate Jimmysstar, owned by the same connections in Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill, the Maher stable believes Gringotts can be effective as a sprinter/miler, with the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) over the same route as the Big Dance a logical option.
“Whether or not he stays to the sprint trips, the six furlong, or we stretch him out again to that seven, mile. But with his handicap, all options are open. I don’t think he’ll be a Group 1 horse at six furlongs, but he could be that at fourteen to a mile,” Turnbull said.
Gringotts has been assigned topweight of 60kg in The Gong, run under quality conditions with last start winning jockey Tommy Berry to keep the ride. Gringotts is a $3.50 all-in favourite for The Gong.
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