Favourite Gringotts will need to set a modern-day weight-carrying record to win the $2 million The Ingham, and now faces the added challenge of jumping from the outside barrier.
The Ciaron Maher-trained five-year-old has drawn gate 24 in the full field of 20 plus four emergencies, compounding the difficulty of carrying 61kg — eight kilograms above the minimum.
The last horse to successfully shoulder a similar impost was Monton, who won the 2011 edition with 58kg.
Despite the wide alley, Gringotts remains the $3.80 favourite, having been unstoppable under big weights at his past two starts when landing the Big Dance and The Gong, both over a mile.
His presence has created mixed feelings for the connections of rival runner and defending champion Robusto.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding carried 59.5kg when seventh in the Festival Stakes (1500m) last start, but Gringotts’ topweight has resulted in Robusto dropping to just 54kg on Saturday.
“The best part about him (Gringotts) being there is he’s pushing the weights down a little bit,” Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton said.
“I think weight pulled Robusto up a bit the other day.
“He was a little bit flat, but he was going from 1300 to 1500 and now he is going from 1500 to 1600, and he’s third-up.
“He is ready to run a peak.”
Robusto will launch his title defence from barrier six, while stablemate Amor Victorious has drawn gate three.
However, Amor Victorious is heavily dependent on the weather, with his best form coming on tracks rated soft 5 or better. Rain and storms are forecast later in the week.
He was unplaced on a heavy surface in The Gong, a run Hilton felt was forgivable.
“He doesn’t like a really heavy track. He gets through it softish, but it just got too heavy for him the other day,” he said.
“He took good benefit out of it, he’s had the two runs now and we are still really pleased with him. Back on a drier surface he could definitely measure up.”
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