The decision to bypass the Epsom Handicap and concentrate on The Big Dance could reap a $1.5 million bonus if Gringotts can capture the Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill, en route to his main mission.
The Ciaron Maher-trained five-year-old passed the qualifying clause for the Melbourne Cup Day feature with his Tamworth Cup victory in April, then almost tempted connections to head to last Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) with his slashing first-up second to Mchale in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).
“He came back big in condition going into that first-up run, so he surprised us a bit,” Maher’s Sydney foreman Johann Gerard-Dubord said.
“We knew he would improve on whatever he did.
“We did consider the Epsom, but he is qualified for the Big Dance so three-and-a-half weeks into that is perfect timing and staying at 1400 second-up as well.”
Gringotts is building an outstanding record, winning half of his 14 starts and placing in another six.
Gerard-Dubord said the stable had always held the son of Per Incanto in high regard, but he had taken time to mature.
“Two preps ago we thought he was very good. One day he galloped with (Group 1 winner) Ruthless Dane and he galloped nearly better than she did, but he wasn’t there mentally,” he said.
“Last prep he won all his starts and once he was qualified for the Big Dance, we put him away and set him for the spring. I think he has improved again.”
Gringotts was one of three acceptors for Maher in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) but one, last-start Caulfield winner Jimmysstar, was in need of two scratchings to gain a run after being installed second emergency.
Jimmysstar is also an acceptor in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, for which he is the $2.40 favourite.
Semana is Maher’s other runner guaranteed a start in the Alan Brown Stakes with the stable looking for her to lift on her last start fifth in the Golden Pendant (1400m), an effort which followed a strong fourth behind Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes over the same journey.
“She was a bit plain, a bit quiet for her, but she wasn’t far off them,” Gerard-Dubord said of Semana’s last start.
“No one made up any ground in the race.
“We have been happy with her since. It has only been two weeks, so we have tried to keep her nice and fresh.”
Gringotts drew barrier seven in the big field of 17 plus six emergencies, with Tommy Berry booked to ride, while Ryan Maloney will partner Semana from gate one.