Ciaron Maher will saddle up proven Group 1 winners Gringotts and Light Infantry Man in Saturday’s $1 million 7 Stakes at Randwick, hoping for smoother fortunes than when the pair resumed in the Winx Stakes a fortnight ago.
In that clash, Gringotts finished a sound fifth, beaten 2-3/4 lengths by Via Sistina, while Light Infantry Man endured a torrid run and trailed the field home. Maher was quick to forgive the effort, noting interference between his two runners. “He will improve a fair bit off his first run,” Maher said. “My other horse (Light Infantry Man) ended up getting on his heels and then they revved him up and he revved himself up and it all just went pear-shaped. It wasn’t ideal.”
Gringotts has already shown what he can do second-up, capturing the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill earlier this year when defeating Fangirl, who is again among his likely opponents in the 7 Stakes. His tune-up trial over 1200m at Wyong last week pleased Maher, who believes he is on track for another bold showing.
Light Infantry Man, meanwhile, is being aimed towards the Cox Plate, with Maher keen to see him bounce back on Saturday. “His best win was on that really hot tempo in the Australian Cup. He went early off a hot pace. ‘Browny’ put him into the race early and I thought that was a bold move considering how fast they went, but he thrived on it,” Maher said. “Maybe through a Hill (Stakes) and down for that. That’s the rough plan.”
The 7 Stakes headlines a high-quality Randwick meeting that also features the $1 million Group 2 The Shorts (1100m), which will see The Everest contenders Joliestar, Briasa and Private Harry step out. Notably absent is Headwall, last year’s winner, who has suffered an injury setback that may end his spring campaign.