Gringotts to put final touches on Big Dance preparation in Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill

A luckless run first-up ended the winning streak of Gringotts but the Big Dance favourite can bounce back with victory in Saturday’s Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill.

Star jockey Tommy Berry reckons Gringotts’ narrow first-up defeat came when he was “nowhere near wound up” and believes the emerging talent is now primed for a lucrative Sydney feature double.

Gringotts is the current $3.50 favourite for next month’s $3 million Big Dance but will put the finishing touches on his preparation for the race in Saturday’s $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Luck in running prevented Gringotts from extending his winning streak to four first-up in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).

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The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper lost no admirers as he flashed home to finish a narrow second to McHale.

“Gringotts was a hard one to get beat on last start but in saying that, he was first-up and he already has his ticket to the Big Dance,” Berry said.

“He was nowhere near wound up first-up to go out and do what he did.

“So even though he was beaten in a hard luck story, it was probably nice that he didn’t have a gut buster run.

“He has come through that really well.”

Gringotts secured eligibility for a crack at the Big Dance (1600m) back in April after winning the Tamworth Cup.

Maher and his team made the decision to target the race and bypassed last week’s Epsom Handicap in favour of using the Alan Brown as a lead-up.

Gringotts is the $4 favourite to win the Alan Brown from an ideal draw in barrier seven.

“He has drawn a perfect barrier for him,” Berry said.

“I think he will give a very good sight on the weekend and be hard to beat but it is a strong field.

“It’s a good line-up with $1.5 million on the line so it was always going to draw a nice field.”

A total thriller in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap, with the outsider Mchale victorious by the narrowest of margins for @RachelK11 and @cwallerracing! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7jlz2ZWOVt

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2024

Berry will link up with either the favourite or second elect in four of the six features on the card with Henlein among his leading chances.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained galloper is the current favourite for the Spring Champion Stakes and will take his an important step towards the race in the Group 3 $500,000 Gloaming Stakes (1800m).

Berry was aboard Henlein when he finished sixth in his first-up assignment over an unsuitable 1400m trip in the Ming Dynasty Quality last month before the colt went to the Valley and came a strong second in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes.

Berry declared ‘I love him’ after Henlein’s Ming Dynasty run and hasn’t changed his high opinion of the colt.

“He’s is very imposing, he is a lovely big, strong animal,” Berry said.

“He feels like 2000m is exactly what he is looking for.

“The trip to Melbourne and back here has really switched him on. I galloped him on Tuesday morning and he was a lot more switched on then what he was when I rode him at Rosehill.

“Rosehill is not his track, he will be better off when he gets to Randwick for the Spring Champion.

“He is drawn a bit awkward and will get that but in saying that, I think he is ready to justify his quote of what he is in the Spring Champion.”

Swiftfalcon ($2.70) shades Henlein ($3.50) for favouritism in the Gloaming Stakes.

Berry’s best chance on the card according to the bookies is the Chris Waller-trained Olentia ($2.70) in the Group 2 The Nivison (1200m).

The pair went close to winning first-up last preparation after finishing a narrow second in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) and Berry is tipping the Zoustar mare is ready to produce another bold first-up showing.

“Olentia was first-up last preparation off one trial and should have won at Randwick when she was unlucky behind Semana,” Berry said.

“She comes here with the same set up, one soft trial and is drawn very well.

“We know the sort of turn of foot she has got when she is at her best and she’s got a great fresh record.

“She will perform well on the weekend and has some bigger targets ahead of her.”

Exciting filly Spirit Of Wealth ($3.50 favourite) is Berry’s Group 2 $300,000 Roman Consul Stakes ride while he’s been given the task of helping Hinged recapture winning form in the Group 2 $2 million Hill Stakes (1900m).

Hinged, a $19 chance, hasn’t won since her Group 1 Surround Stakes victory more than two and a half years ago.

Originally published as Gringotts to put final touches on Big Dance preparation in Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill