Sydney’s feature race on Melbourne Cup Day at Randwick, The Big Dance 2024, has been won by the Ciaron Maher-trained Tamworth Cup winner Gringotts who was too strong holding on to beat stablemate Vivy Air by a length.
The $3 million Big Dance (1600m) held Listed status for the first time this year with betting on the lucrative Black-Type led for a long time by Gringotts until he was displaced at the top of the markets on race day by Tavi Time.
Maher’s consistent Per Incanto gelding however rewarded his early backers with five-year-old Gringotts impressive with Tommy Berry aboard this year’s The Big Dance winner.
“That’s a huge, huge effort, huge team effort,” stable rep Johan Gerard-Dubord told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“Obviously Gringotts has been the target since Tamworth. We had him right today. Obviously, the barrier was always going to be a concern, but we were very confident in where he was going.
“Tommy was happy to do a bit of work early.
“He travelled well and then kicked and it was just too good for them. Great to get a win for those owners.
“Ozzie, a great supporter, some very good people in the horse.”
From wide out in gate 19 of 20, the Kiwi-bred gelding was quick out to cross and get into a forward position settling on speed second behind the front running Zouatica who eventually faded to finish at the tail end of the field.
Berry took Gringotts to the lead 300m out from the line and the horse stuck on with the job well, fighting all the way to hold on and salute for the $1.56 million first prize.
“Well, done to Ciaron. I know it’s not the Melbourne Cup mate, but you’ve still got that to come,” winning hoop Berry said post-victory.
Gringotts presented third-up and fit off too good Sydney lead-up wins this spring having run back-to-back seconds by narrow margins in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie and $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes over 1400m.
He came to Randwick on Tuesday ready to win relishing the step back up to his pet distance of a mile and was brilliant for connections.
Maher’s Big Dance Wild Card runner-up, four-year-old Hellbent mare Vivy Air, was brave in defeat finishing second.
“The second horse, Vivy Air, she is improving at every start. Obviously, it’s the first prep for us,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“We’ve taken our time, but she looks better all the time. She’s happier. She’s a mare that’s living at Bong Bong. She’s loving it there. And yeah, it’s a great effort from the team.
“The logistics obviously take a bit of work, but we just try to place them where they’re best suited. Some horses, obviously love the quiet environment at Bong Bong.
“Some horses need a bit more work; they enjoy the beach. And some horses are happy to be away from. But yeah, that’s obviously those facilities, whether it’s New South Wales or Victoria, obviously huge assets and got a great team of people to go with it.”
In third completing this year’s The Big Dance trifecta was Suparazi who came off a sixth in The Valley’s Group 2 Crystal Mile on Cox Plate Day to narrowly deny the heavily backed Tavi Time (4th) a spot in the placings today.
The Big Dance 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
4. Gringotts (19)
J: Tommy Berry 58.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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|
2nd
17. Vivy Air (5)
J: Andrew Adkins 53kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
3rd
8. Suparazi (8)
J: Tim Clark 54kg
T: Ben Brisbourne |
||
|
4th
12. Tavi Time (7)
J: Chad Schofield 53kg
T: Kris Lees |
||
|
5th
11. Ducasse (15)
J: Regan Bayliss 53kg
T: Michael Freedman |
||
|
6th
7. Redstone Well (10)
J: Tom Sherry 55.5kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
|
7th
2. Detonator Jack (17)
J: Jason Collett 59.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
8th
5. Sky Lab (6)
J: Ashley Morgan 58.5kg
T: Paul Perry |
||
|
9th
13. Overriding (16)
J: Jay Ford 53kg
T: Nathan Doyle |
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|
10th
1. Here To Shock (1)
J: Nash Rawiller 62kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
||
|
11th
14. Cranky Harry (9)
J: Jake Bayliss 53kg
T: Matthew Dunn |
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|
12th
10. Floating (12)
J: Zac Wadick 53kg
T: Matthew Smith |
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|
13th
16. Green Shadows (20)
J: Alysha Collett 53kg
T: G Ryan & S Alexiou |
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|
14th
6. Hezashocka (2)
J: Dylan Gibbons 58kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
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|
15th
3. Lion's Roar (14)
J: Josh Parr 59kg
T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton |
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|
16th
20. Money From The Sky (13)
J: Reece Jones 53kg
T: Sara Ryan |
||
|
17th
18. Prince Of Helena (3)
J: Jake Duffy 53kg
T: Craig Weeding |
||
|
18th
15. Sneak Preview (4)
J: Mathew Cahill 53kg
T: Peter Nestor |
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|
19th
9. Time Quest (11)
J: Christian Reith 54kg
T: Matthew Smith |
||
|
20th
19. Zouatica (18)
J: Molly Bourke 53kg
T: B Joseph & P & M Jones |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 05:06:11 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
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Race comments
TAVI TIME (12) classy miler who gave them a galloping lesson second up with the 60kg when a comfortable winner over this trip at Warwick Farm on October 16. Sits on the limit from the right gate and can finish over the top of these with the winkers going on. HERE TO SHOCK (1) tough gelding racing in career best form in stronger company. Chasing his third straight victory after defeating a classy line-up when taking out the Alan Brown Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill on October 12. Maps well with the 62kg and is sure to figure prominently. SUPARAZI (8) consistent Wangaratta-trained gelding with a good record over the mile. Motored late from the wide gate when sixth in the G2 Crystl Mile at Moonee Valley on October 26. Each way player. DETONATOR JACK (2) proven miler who was a total forgive from the wide draw when a poor 20th in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 5. Similar setup here but will find this grade much easier. The chances don't end there.