Gringotts’ bid for the $2 million The Ingham has become even more difficult after the favourite drew the outside barrier in Saturday’s feature.

The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding already faces a rare challenge carrying 61kg — eight kilograms over the minimum — and will now jump from barrier 24 in the 20-horse field plus four emergencies.

No horse has carried a comparable weight to victory since Monton, who won the race in 2011 with 58kg.

However, Gringotts remains the $3.80 favourite after dominant wins under similar weights in the Big Dance and The Gong.

His presence in the field has had a notable effect on handicaps for defending champion Robusto.

The Bjorn Baker-trained runner carried 59.5kg when seventh in the Festival Stakes (1500m), but drops to just 54kg due to Gringotts’ topweight.

“The best part about him (Gringotts) being there is he’s pushing the weights down a little bit,” Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton said.

“I think weight pulled Robusto up a bit the other day.

“He was a little bit flat, but he was going from 1300 to 1500 and now he is going from 1500 to 1600, and he’s third-up.

“He is ready to run a peak.”

Robusto has drawn barrier six in his title defence, with stablemate Amor Victorious to jump from gate three.

Track conditions will be crucial for Amor Victorious, who excels on ground rated soft 5 or better. Rain and storms are forecast later in the week.

He was unplaced on heavy ground in The Gong, a run Hilton said could be forgiven.

“He doesn’t like a really heavy track. He gets through it softish, but it just got too heavy for him the other day,” Hilton said.

“He took good benefit out of it, he’s had the two runs now and we are still really pleased with him. Back on a drier surface he could definitely measure up.”

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