Shannon Stakes 2025 pivot no sweat for Gringotts
Gringotts will bypass the 7 Stakes but looks well placed to resume his campaign in Saturday’s Shannon Stakes (1500m) after overcoming a minor health hiccup.
Trainer Ciaron Maher withdrew the George Ryder Stakes winner from Randwick last week when routine bloodwork showed irregularities, preferring to give the gelding extra time.
Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said the horse was not far from his usual levels and has been ticking over well since.
“There wasn’t much to it but in the middle of a preparation we didn’t want to take the risk,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“He actually galloped (Saturday) morning in an easy piece of work.
“We will take his bloods (this week) and if that’s right he will be taking his place on Saturday and it will be three weeks into a King Charles III Stakes which will work very well.”
Gringotts has already proven himself over the Rosehill course and distance, having won a Group 1 in the autumn. He resumed with a solid fifth in the Winx Stakes (1400m) before sharpening up with a Wyong trial victory.
“He is going very well and his first-up run was good. He just had to make his run a bit earlier than usual on that very heavy track,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“He will strip fitter and I’m looking forward to him getting back to the races.”
The yard will also send out Juja Kibo in the Colin Stephen Quality (2400m), a race that could set up a quick back-up into the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m).
“He’s very fit and he will be dropping in weight so we’ll give him his chance,” Gerard-Dubord said. “If he happened to win it or run well, he could back-up in a ‘Metrop’ a week later.”
Punters considering the Shannon Stakes or Metropolitan should check the best betting sites, compare leading bookmakers and explore trusted betting apps for value.
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