Group 1 winner Gringotts will be out to get his spring campaign back on track when he lines up in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has missed two intended runs — the 7 Stakes (1600m) and Shannon Stakes (1500m) — due to poor blood readings, with Maher confirming both absences were caused by a mild virus rather than any major issue.

“There are a lot of viruses around this year and it was just unfortunate that he got one,” Maher said. “But he seems good now. You never really know where you’re at with that sort of thing, but it should be a nice race for him to kick off. He could even end up in the Big Dance.”

Originally set to target the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on Saturday week, the missed runs have forced Maher to shift plans. Gringotts may now be redirected towards The Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day, providing the perfect new path for the consistent performer.

Also headlining the Rosehill program is Golden Slipper heroine Marhoona, who will make her second appearance this spring in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m).

Trained by Michael Freedman, the filly returned with a gritty first-up win in the Heritage Stakes (1100m) last month and is being primed for a tilt at the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington later this spring.

“The Roman Consul and then ideally, if she is in form, we go to Melbourne for the Coolmore,” Freedman said. “She has come through her first-up run really well. She was a little bit ring rusty the other day but she has definitely lit up since then.”

The Roman Consul has proven a reliable spring stepping stone, with recent winners Switzerland (2024), Brazen Beau (2014) and Zoustar (2013) all completing the Roman Consul–Coolmore double.

For the latest odds on the Alan Brown Stakes and Roman Consul Stakes, visit Australia’s best betting sites.