Gringotts is shaping as Ciaron Maher’s sole runner in The Gong, with next weekend’s metropolitan meeting once again shifting to Kembla Grange as Sydney racing takes a brief break from the city tracks.

While Maher has collected plenty of milestone achievements throughout his career, the stable is on the verge of a rare feat, with Gringotts poised to secure a unique ‘double-double’ should he land the 1600-metre, $1 million Group 3 contest.

The six-year-old has already completed the first half of the mission, having claimed The Big Dance (1600m) last year and repeating the dose on Melbourne Cup Day just two weeks ago.

“He’s come out of The Big Dance super,” Maher said.

“He’s probably in career best form.”

Maher confirmed that the original spring target had been the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m), but unexpected blood irregularities forced a reset, steering connections back toward The Big Dance.

Gringotts currently stands as the $2.50 favourite for The Gong, as some other Maher-trained contenders head in different directions. Vivy Air, for instance, is bound for Perth, while 2024 Caulfield Cup champion Duke De Sessa is heading to the paddock.

Vivy Air, who chased home Gringotts in The Big Dance before scoring in the Listed Five Diamonds (1800m) four days afterward, is now bound for the $1.5 million Northerly Stakes (1800m) on December 6 at Ascot.

The mare is rated a $15 hope ahead of her assignment during The Pinnacles.

Meanwhile, connections are still weighing up whether Lugh—third behind Gringotts in The Big Dance, giving Maher a trifecta in the race—will join his stablemate in The Gong.

“He felt the run in The Big Dance and we are still leaving the door open for him to start with Gringotts but a decision is still to come,” Maher’s national assistant Jack Turnbull said.

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