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By Ray Hickson

Are there any negatives for Gringotts, the headline act of Saturday’s Group 3 $1 million Illawarra Mercury Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange?

Johann Gerard-Dubord (Pic: Bradley Photos).

It quickly became apparent talking to Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord that he was struggling to find any which is an ominous sign as the six-year-old looks to defend his title and add a second Gong to his back-to-back Big Dance titles.

“He looks great, his work since the Big Dance has been good,’’ he said.

“We know he likes the mile at Kembla, weight will be no issue, he’s drawn well, Nash knows him well. It’s hard to find a negative.

“He goes on any ground, he’s very versatile. If the track was on speed like it was last year we could be more aggressive, or we have the option to ride quieter.”

The conditions of the race really favour Gringotts.

A year ago he carried 58.5kg to win the Big Dance and 60kg in his Gong victory. This year he shouldered 62kg in the Big Dance but rises just 1kg on 2024 for Saturday’s race.

Gerard-Dubord said the gelding, $2.10 with TAB on Friday, came through his win on November 4 like he’d hardly been around, perhaps a benefit of his spring being interrupted.

“In the Big Dance he had the right gate that allowed him to do no work in the run, he just sprinted home once he got the gap,’’ he said.

“Even though he had a lot of weight it was a soft win in the end and it took nothing out of him.

“You wouldn’t say he’s improved again but he’s going as well as he was going into it.”

It’s not off the table that Gringotts could stick around for the Group 2 $2m The Ingham (1600m) in three weeks but the stable is wary of having one run too many.

That was the case a year ago and connections would like him to be firing in the autumn to defend his Group 1 George Ryder Stakes crown.

“Last year he had a pretty busy spring and the Ingham was probably the one race he’d had enough,’’ he said.

“Even though he was dominant last year he had a tough run in the Gong and he probably ran a bit flat in the Ingham. Unless he won impressively and it was a soft win (we probably wouldn’t go there again), there are plenty of nice races in the autumn.”

While all the attention is on the top weight, stablemate Duke De Sessa makes a belated return for the spring and Gerard-Dubord is expecting the Group 1 winner to show something.

He hasn’t raced since contesting the Sydney Cup in April but it is notable that he started his autumn campaign with a win over 1600m at Flemington carrying 60kg.

“I’m very happy with him, his weight is the same as when he won the mile first-up last prep,’’ he said.

“He looks forward, he pulls up great in the wind and his recovery is good.

“He had a jump out at Bong Bong and in his trial at Randwick he trialled well, through the line and past the line he was strong.

“The mile is as short as he wants but he’s pretty forward and he can run a race. He’s done a lot of his early work with Wallenda who ran very well on Wednesday.”

Gringotts wins the Big Dance

A decision on whether Victoria Road tackles the Gong or is saved until Sunday’s Canberra meeting will be made on race morning.

The import was safely held over a mile at Randwick a month ago and has trialled again since.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Kembla Grange