Talented three-year-old Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) landed the third win of his five-start career when winning the Noel Rundle Handicap (1600m) at Sandown Lakeside on Saturday.
Prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the son of Per Incanto took a trail under Beau Mertens and dashed through a gap when it presented at the top of the straight.
The gelding dug deep late to stave off the efforts of Loco (So You Think) and Dashing (Magnus) to score by a half-head.
“You can only win and that’s what he’s doing,” stable representative Jack Turnbull said.
“He still travels a bit free. Beau then took a couple of holds during the race, he was just racing a little bit over the top.
“Whether or not 1400m or a mile is his trip, time will tell, but he was fantastic today.”
Gringotts is yet another Kiwi tried horse to make an impact on the metropolitan tracks of Australia, purchased after an impressive trial win at Te Awamutu for trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander.
“It is great to get another win for John (O’Neill) and Ozzie (Kheir). He cost a little bit out of New Zealand and it’s just good to see the horse repay them,” Turnbull said.
“He’s had a long prep, he was sort of rejuvenated going down to the Cranbourne and getting to the beach. If we were to go anywhere we may look at Queensland, but I’ll let David and Ciaron decide that.”
Winning jockey Beau Mertens was excited to get the opportunity to ride the talented youngster.
“I probably watched every one of his replays of every start he’s had so far and he was a good ride coming into today,” Mertens said.
“Johnny (Allen, previous rider) spoke to me yesterday (and said) he might be a little bit suspect at the mile but I think he proved himself then when he burst through with a good turn of foot.
“He was probably on his last legs a little bit late but it was good to see him hold on.
“He’s got a lot of ability and he’s got a good turn of foot, I think he’s going to go a long way on the way he’s just won today.”
Gringotts was bred by Totara Park Stud and is by Little Avondale Stud’s outstanding sire Per Incanto out of the Savabeel mare Miss Bluebell (NZ), an unraced daughter of Operavega (NZ) (Stravinsky), a half-sister to Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar), the dam of superstar Winx (Street Cry).
