Twelve months on from producing the quinella in the $3 million Big Dance, Ciaron Maher has taken an even bigger slice of the prize, training the first three home in Tuesday’s edition of the feature.

Just as he did last year, Gringotts ($3 fav) proved too strong, making it consecutive Big Dance victories. He again held stablemate Vivy Air ($16) at bay, this time by 1-1/4 lengths, while the front-running Lugh ($31) boxed on gamely to finish a further three-quarters of a length away in third.

Gringotts was originally on a different spring path and had been aimed at the King Charles III Stakes (1600m), only to miss the 7 Stakes when bloods returned below ideal markers.

Maher and his team instead shifted focus to defending their Big Dance crown — and Gringotts delivered in style.

“We always had this race in the background because he was already qualified,” assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said.

“But the King Charles was his main aim. We didn’t want to risk him when things weren’t right, and today we’ve been rewarded.

“If you can’t go to Plan A, winning a $3 million race is a pretty good Plan B.”

Carrying 62kg, Gringotts enjoyed a perfect run behind the pace for Nash Rawiller, who rode him last start when finishing second in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m).

“He’s just a proper horse,” Rawiller said.

“When I let him go, the acceleration was there straight away. I felt like the winner a long way out.”

Both Vivy Air and Lugh remain in consideration for Saturday’s $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill.

Meanwhile, class also came to the fore in the $750,000 Little Dance (1600m) where topweight Osipenko prevailed for the Chris Waller stable, edging out Hollywood Hero.

Stable representative Zane Jones confirmed Osipenko is likely to progress to The Gong (1600m) later this month.

If you’re looking to bet on the Big Dance or other spring features, compare bookmakers via the Australian betting sites list.