Ciaron Maher confident Gringotts can break 106-year weight hoodoo in The Ingham

Gringotts is hunting a hat-trick of feature victories on Saturday but will have to shoulder a heavy load to take out The Ingham.

Trainer Ciaron Maher is confident Gringotts can end a 106-year hoodoo and lump the big weight to victory in the Group 2 $2m The Ingham (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Gringotts has been set a task of carrying 60.5kg in The Ingham while Private Eye has 61kg in the Doncaster Mile qualifying handicap.

Not since Rebus in 1918 has a horse carried as much weight to victory in The Ingham, formerly known as the Villiers Stakes.

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Rebus set the race’s weight-carrying record when he lumped 9st 10lbs or 61.5kg.

Gringotts has already proven heavy imposts are no burden following his strong win with 60kg on his back last start in The Gong at Kembla Grange.

“He has got a bit of weight, yes, but he won with authority last start,” Maher said.

“I agree that weight does have an effect but the way he won, I would be pretty confident he will carry it.”

Gringotts has enjoyed a remarkable 2024 with five victories and two seconds in seven starts across the calendar year.

The son of Per Incanto put together three straight wins in the autumn, culminating in the Listed Members’ Handicap at Doomben in May.

He went to another level during the spring carnival and could have been unbeaten this campaign with more luck, finishing close seconds in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap and Alan Brown.

Since then he’s been an impressive victor in both the Listed Big Dance and Group 3 The Gong.

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GRINGOTTS WINS THE GONG! 🏆

What a dominant performance in what has been an unbelievable few months of racing for @cmaherracing! pic.twitter.com/3IZxes06Or

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 23, 2024

“He has had a beautiful prep,” Maher said.

“He was pretty dominant last start and he hasn’t had that many runs in really so I still think he should hold form pretty solid.

“The last few starts he has had to do it the tough way and Tommy (Berry) has had a good understanding of him.

“I do think we overdo barriers a little bit, especially with him but the main thing is he is in good order and I am looking forward to the weekend.”

Tommy Berry will continue his partnership with Gringotts and recently described the horse as “one of the most exciting horses I’ve ridden for some time.”

Gringotts is the $3.90 favourite for The Ingham where he is expected to face stiff competition from last-start Railway Stakes winner Port Lockroy ($9.50) and Festival Stakes hero Private Eye ($9).

Maher’s other runner New Energy certainly isn’t without a hope after breaking through for a hard-earned maiden Australian victory last start.

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Gringotts is still the horse to beat in The Ingham despite having to carry a big weight. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

New Energy has been tested at the top level throughout the spring but got his reward with a strong effort to prevail in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) on heavy ground at Caulfield.

“I think it might have just been the confidence he needed,” Maher said.

“He had been running really well without winning.

“I think he enjoyed that bit of give in the ground last start as well, which he is not going to get on Saturday.

“But he is a horse that I think will take a fair bit of confidence from that win.”

Dylan Brown McMonagle links up with New Energy, rated a $13 chance in The Ingham.

The winner of The Ingham earns ballot exemption into next year’s $4m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

Maher, who tasted more Group 1 success last Saturday with Light Infantry Man in the Northerly Stakes, made the decision to scratch Royal Merchant from the Listed $200,000 Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) in favour of running the mare from a better draw in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1300m) where she jumps from barrier one.

Resuming mares Miss You Ella ($51) and Until Valhalla ($9) will make their returns in the Jack Ingham AO Handicap (1400m).

Kettle Hill ($15) will attempt to back up a last start Flemington win when he comes to Sydney for the Coolmore Spelling @ Mount White Handicap (1800m).

The Gleneagles gelding will need to overcome a tricky wide gate in barrier 19.

Originally published as Ciaron Maher confident Gringotts can break 106-year weight hoodoo in The Ingham