Gringotts is on track to be Ciaron Maher’s lone starter in The Gong, with next Saturday’s racing program once again shifting away from Sydney metro tracks and onto the Kembla Grange surface.

Maher has achieved plenty throughout his training career, but a rare milestone is now in sight as Gringotts chases an unconventional ‘double-double’ in the $1 million Group 3 feature over 1600 metres.

Already the winner of The Big Dance in both 2023 and 2024, the gelding now has the opportunity to pair that success with victories in consecutive editions of The Gong.

“He’s come out of The Big Dance super,” Maher said.

“He’s probably in career best form.”

The original plan had been to target the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, but irregularities in blood tests caused Maher to adjust course and aim again at The Big Dance, which ultimately paid off.

Gringotts has been installed as the early $2.50 favourite for The Gong, while other Maher-trained runners chart different paths. Vivy Air is Perth-bound, and 2024 Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa heads to the paddock.

Vivy Air, who chased Gringotts home in The Big Dance before winning the Listed Five Diamonds (1800m), is being set for the $1.5 million Northerly Stakes on December 6 at Ascot, and is currently rated a $15 chance.

The team is yet to confirm whether Lugh, who finished third behind Gringotts in The Big Dance, will join him at Kembla Grange.

“He felt the run in The Big Dance and we are still leaving the door open for him to start with Gringotts but a decision is still to come,” Maher’s national assistant Jack Turnbull said.

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