Take three for Gringotts in the 2025 Alan Brown Stakes
Group 1 winner Gringotts will aim to reignite his spring campaign in Saturday’s $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill after a frustrating run of setbacks.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding was scratched from both the 7 Stakes (1600m) and Shannon Stakes (1500m) due to poor blood readings linked to a mild virus, but Maher says the issue is now behind him.
“There are a lot of viruses around this year and it was just unfortunate that he got one,” Maher said. “But he seems good now. You never really know where you’re at with that sort of thing, but it should be a nice race for him to kick off. He could even end up in the Big Dance.”
Gringotts had been set for the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) next week, but Maher confirmed the missed runs have altered the plan, with The Big Dance (1600m) on Melbourne Cup day now his likely target.
Adding to the star power at Rosehill will be Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, who resumes in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) after a tough but winning return in the Heritage Stakes (1100m).
Trainer Michael Freedman said Marhoona had come on beautifully since that performance and remains on track for the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight.
“The Roman Consul and then ideally, if she’s in form, we go to Melbourne for the Coolmore,” Freedman said. “She was a little bit ring rusty the other day but she’s definitely lit up since then.”
The Roman Consul has long been a proven Coolmore stepping stone, with recent winners Switzerland, Brazen Beau and Zoustar all completing the famous double.
Punters can find the latest odds and betting promotions for the Alan Brown Stakes and Roman Consul Stakes at Australia’s leading betting sites.
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