Ciaron Maher is setting his sights on redemption this weekend, preparing to unleash proven Group 1 stars Gringotts and Light Infantry Man in the $1 million 7 Stakes at Randwick. The respected trainer knows both horses have the class to feature prominently, provided they enjoy smoother runs than in their seasonal returns in the Winx Stakes a fortnight ago.
The build-up to Saturday’s feature event is steeped in intrigue. Maher’s runners will again clash with some of the best middle-distance gallopers in the country, including familiar rivals such as Fangirl, but the champion trainer believes both of his charges are tracking ideally towards peak condition.
Gringotts Ready to Step Up Second-Up
Few horses have shown the progression and grit of Gringotts across the past 12 months. When he resumed in the Winx Stakes, he showed he had lost none of his determination, finishing a respectable fifth, just 2-¾ lengths behind Via Sistina. The run offered plenty of encouragement without the glamour of victory.
Maher, however, is a man who plays the long game, and he knows Gringotts’ best often comes when he has a run under the belt. That was showcased earlier this year in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill, where he produced a stirring finish to defeat Fangirl, stamping his credentials as a genuine top-tier competitor.
“He will improve a fair bit off his first run,” Maher said with confidence. His comments reflect the stable’s belief that the gelding is primed for another big performance.
The signs were also there during his recent 1200m trial at Wyong, where Gringotts went through his gears in impressive fashion. For Maher, the key lies in timing the horse’s preparation to peak in the toughest races, and everything suggests Gringotts is right on schedule.
Light Infantry Man Seeks Redemption
If Gringotts offered optimism last start, Light Infantry Man was the opposite. His return in the Winx Stakes was marred by misfortune, finishing at the tail of the field. Yet Maher has wasted no time in forgiving the effort, pointing to the interference between his two runners that threw the race into disarray.
“My other horse (Light Infantry Man) ended up getting on his heels and then they revved him up and he revved himself up and it all just went pear-shaped. It wasn’t ideal,” Maher explained.
That explanation is critical. The Australian Cup winner has already proven himself a warrior when races unfold at brutal tempos. Maher fondly recalled his Group 1 triumph earlier this year. “His best win was on that really hot tempo in the Australian Cup. He went early off a hot pace. ‘Browny’ put him into the race early and I thought that was a bold move considering how fast they went, but he thrived on it,” Maher said.
That boldness is what Maher hopes to see again. Light Infantry Man is not being set for just one race—he is being trained with the Cox Plate firmly in mind. Saturday’s 7 Stakes looms as a crucial stepping stone. “Maybe through a Hill (Stakes) and down for that. That’s the rough plan,” Maher noted, outlining the horse’s spring campaign.
A Meeting Brimming with Talent
While the 7 Stakes is the headline act, the Randwick card is loaded with quality. The Group 2 The Shorts (1100m), worth $1 million, will serve as a key Everest lead-up and features big names such as Joliestar, Briasa, and Private Harry. Each brings their own form lines and excitement, adding further sparkle to an already high-class meeting.
Conspicuously absent, however, is Headwall, last year’s winner, whose spring campaign has been derailed by injury. The setback not only robs fans of seeing him defend his title but also removes a genuine contender from the looming Everest picture. For the remaining sprinters, it’s a golden opportunity to stamp authority at a pivotal stage of the season.
What It Means for Maher’s Stable
For Ciaron Maher, Saturday is about more than just individual wins—it’s about momentum. Both Gringotts and Light Infantry Man represent different but equally important prospects for his stable.
Gringotts offers immediate form and the chance to again topple Fangirl in a Group 1 arena, while Light Infantry Man is a project horse, one being carefully moulded towards a Cox Plate assault. Success, or even strong performances, in the 7 Stakes could set the tone for the rest of spring, providing Maher with confidence that his big guns are right where they need to be.
In racing, fortune often swings between brilliance and misfortune in the blink of an eye. Two weeks ago, Maher endured both—Gringotts battling bravely, Light Infantry Man undone by chaos. On Saturday, he hopes for balance to tip back in his favour.
Final Word
The $1 million 7 Stakes at Randwick is shaping as one of the highlights of the early spring. With Gringotts hunting another Group 1 victory and Light Infantry Man chasing redemption on the path to the Cox Plate, Ciaron Maher will once again be front and centre in the racing spotlight. Add to that the drama of The Shorts, with Everest hopefuls ready to stake their claim, and Saturday’s meeting promises theatre and tension in equal measure.
For Maher, the task is simple but demanding—get his stars into the right rhythm. If the racing gods grant him a clearer run than the Winx Stakes, both Gringotts and Light Infantry Man could remind the racing world why they are among the most respected gallopers of their generation.
