As Ciaron Maher gears up for Gringotts’ comeback in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, a competing jockey has unintentionally provided a significant endorsement for one of the feature contenders.
Nash Rawiller forged a solid connection with Gringotts towards the end of his last preparation, securing consecutive triumphs in the Big Dance and The Gong.
The pair was scheduled to team up again in Saturday’s Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m), yet after a candid discussion with Maher, Rawiller opted to remain aboard Lady Shenandoah, the horse he piloted on debut when she surged late for third behind Joliestar in the Expressway Stakes (1200m).
Tommy Berry, who guided Gringotts to three victories including his Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) success last year, now picks up the ride.
“Nash was riding Gringotts, and he said, ‘Lady Shenandoah was in second gear the other day. Do you mind if I step off and step on (her)?’. I said, ‘no, Gringotts will probably want the run anyway,”, Maher recounted.
“Tommy has ridden him plenty of times as well and had good success on him, so it didn’t make any difference, really.
“He can run really well fresh, and he’s got a good base on him. He has been up at the beach.
But hearing those words out of Nash, and looking at the way Joliestar hit the line too, those two, I wouldn’t be surprised if they had his measure (on Saturday).”
Although Maher anticipates Gringotts will sharpen up from his effort, he remains satisfied with the six-year-old’s return to training.
Six of his 12 successes have come at a mile, and the handler is considering extending him past that distance for the initial occasion.
Nevertheless, the upcoming Canterbury Stakes on Saturday serves as a perfect lead-in prior to defending his George Ryder Stakes title.
“He’s in good order. He ran in the Liverpool City Cup last time and then the George Ryder. This time he will go Canterbury Stakes to George Ryder,” Maher said.
“He normally runs very well fresh. He had 61 (kilos) last year in the Liverpool City Cup, and I think he ran the fastest last 600 for the meeting and was unlucky.”
Gringotts has only failed to place in the top three once from six fresh appearances but confronts a tough lineup on Saturday led by Chris Waller’s pair of mares plus stablemate Beiwacht, victor of the Golden Rose, and Napoleonic, second in the Hobartville Stakes.
Explore the betting markets for the race across leading Australian betting sites ahead of the Canterbury Stakes action.