If most jockeys go wide, Nash Rawiller goes the other way — and his brave decision proved decisive as Gringotts stormed to his second straight win in The Gong at Kembla Grange.

Persistent rain and a heavy track saw riders scouting wide, but after walking the track several times, Rawiller was convinced the inside was the place to be.

“If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t have done it,” Rawiller said.
“You’ve got to back your judgement.”

Gringotts ($2.45 fav) surged late to deny Estadio Mestalla ($5.50), with New Endeavour ($16) third.

The gelding has now completed rare doubles in both The Big Dance and The Gong, and trainer Ciaron Maher says he is in the form of his life.

“What a beauty… I think he is in career-best form,” Maher said.

Maher stepped back early in the spring after poor blood readings, a decision that has paid off as Gringotts continues to build.

Rawiller’s tactic surprised even Maher, but the trainer knew better than to intervene.

“He said he walked the track four times… You have to back him,” Maher said.

With more than $6 million in prizemoney, Gringotts now heads toward next month’s The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick.