As Ciaron Maher readies Gringotts for a potential third Big Dance triumph, a stablemate that finished behind him in last year’s $3 million showpiece is set to end its season with a win at Randwick.
Gringotts made his first public appearance since finishing fourth to the emerging star Sheza Alibi in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) in April with a second placing in a Gosford barrier trial on Wednesday.
“The trial couldn’t have been any better. He seems to have come back very well,” said Jo Gerard-Dubord, Maher’s assistant trainer.
“He will have a second trial and at this stage we’re likely to start him in the Winx Stakes and work towards the Big Dance.
“He’s won it for the last two years, and he will get the same weight.”
Lugh, who was third behind Gringotts and stablemate Vivy Air in the 2025 Big Dance (1600m), returns to a mile for the first time since then in Saturday’s ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1600m).
With the benefit of two recent runs – a first-up third to Cool Jakey over 1300m and a last start fourth to Mickey’s Medal over 1400m – Lugh is expected to be a strong contender.
“The other day he just raced like a horse who wants further,” Gerard-Dubord observed.
“When they picked up and quickened, he looked like he was going to drop off, then late he was coming back again.
“With the extra run under his belt and stepping up to a mile, he’s ready to run a big race.”
Still lightly exposed, Lugh has won five of his 11 starts and Gerard-Dubord mentioned that connections are keen to have him back at Randwick for a Melbourne Cup day feature this year.
“I’d love to get him to a Big Dance or Little Dance. He’s a gelding and he’s got a rating where he can get into those big prizemoney races,” he stated.
The stable will also field Rock Empire in the race, the gelding making its debut for the yard after a closing sixth over 1200m at Rosehill on July 4.
Given a lack of suitable alternatives, Rock Empire will rise 400m in journey, but Gerard-Dubord confirmed he is fit and pleasing the team at home.
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