Nash Rawiller has long been known for taking the path others won’t, and he delivered another masterclass in decision-making with a clever ride on the battle-hardened Gringotts in The Gong at Kembla Grange.

Continuous rain throughout the meeting and a downgrade to heavy conditions had most jockeys shifting wider in search of better footing in the straight.

Rawiller, though, had walked the track several times and trusted his read, sticking to the inside while the field fanned out.

“If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t have done it,” Rawiller said.

“You’ve got to back your judgement.

“I’ve got to be honest. I was worried at the hundred (metres). I thought, geez, I haven’t put them away. But I hadn’t really gone for him either.”

When he did ask for the supreme effort, Gringotts ($2.45 fav) kicked strongly, fending off Estadio Mestalla ($5.50) to land his second straight win in the $1 million Gong (1600m), with New Endeavour ($16) running on solidly for third.

It continued a brilliant prep that already featured victory in the Big Dance (1600m) and a Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m), prompting trainer Ciaron Maher to suggest the horse has never raced better.

“What a beauty. God, he’s a good horse,” Maher said.

“I think he is in career-best form. I know he’s won a Ryder, but I reckon he is in better form this preparation.

“He was dominant last start (in the Big Dance) and he was quite dominant today and because we missed a couple of races early in the prep he is still on the up.”

Maher admitted Rawiller’s intention to hug the inside initially surprised him, given the day’s pattern, but he knew better than to second-guess the champion rider.

The jockey’s flair for alternative paths was famously showcased when he sent Think It Over along the outside rail to win the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

“He said he walked the track four times, and he was keen to stay in. I was like, ‘righto’,” Maher said.

“You have to (back him). He’s walked it four times, I haven’t walked it once.

“He had a lot of faith in the horse. I was keen for Nash to stick with him and he’s just a beauty. He puts himself on speed, he makes his own luck.

“He is just a trainer-owner dream horse to have.”

Gringotts now heads toward next month’s The Ingham (1600m), with prizemoney already beyond $6 million.

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