A minor blood irregularity kept Gringotts out of the 7 Stakes, but the timing of the setback could work perfectly in his spring campaign.

Ciaron Maher chose to scratch the George Ryder Stakes winner from Randwick last week after routine checks showed his blood count was slightly off.

Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said the gelding was well enough to run but the team opted to err on the side of caution, saving him for Saturday’s Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.

“There wasn’t much to it but in the middle of a preparation we didn’t want to take the risk,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“He actually galloped (Saturday) morning in an easy piece of work.

“We will take his bloods (this week) and if that’s right he will be taking his place on Saturday and it will be three weeks into a King Charles III Stakes which will work very well.”

Gringotts, a Group 1 winner at the course and distance in the autumn, last raced when fifth to Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes (1400m) on heavy ground. He has since sharpened up with a barrier trial win at Wyong.

“He is going very well and his first-up run was good. He just had to make his run a bit earlier than usual on that very heavy track,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“He will strip fitter and I’m looking forward to him getting back to the races.”

The stable also saddles Juja Kibo in the Colin Stephen Quality (2400m), with a possible start in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) on the line.

“He’s very fit and he will be dropping in weight so we’ll give him his chance,” Gerard-Dubord said. “If he happened to win it or run well, he could back-up in a ‘Metrop’ a week later.”

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