The Illawarra's premier racing event, The Gong, returns to Kembla Grange this Saturday with history on the line as Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts aims to defend his crown and secure an unprecedented third straight victory for his trainer.
Maher's Dominance in The Gong
Gringotts stands as the hot favourite to win the 1600m feature race, following his impressive victory in last year's edition. Should the class runner succeed, it would mark three consecutive The Gong crowns for trainer Ciaron Maher, who previously celebrated victory with Detonator Jack in 2023.
Detonator Jack returns to compete in the 2025 race, but racing enthusiasts are backing Gringotts to achieve back-to-back victories. The champion horse demonstrated exceptional form in The Big Dance, where he carried 62kg and dominated his competitors to cross the line in spectacular fashion.
Record Crowds and Basketball Royalty
Illawarra Turf Club chief executive officer Steven Keene expressed excitement about the massive 10-race card, confirming that all hospitality packages have sold out, with only limited general admission tickets remaining for the Little Gong area.
"Things are starting to come together, the weather looks like it's playing its part, and we're really excited for a massive day on Saturday," Keene said. "Sales have been really strong for the past three months. We've always been trending ahead of where we were this time last year."
Adding to the day's prestige, basketball royalty will grace the event with Illawarra Hawks championship-winning head coach Justin Tatum - father of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum - receiving the honour of striking The Gong on the marquee race day.
Mitchell Beer's Pop-Up Pub Phenomenon
Local trainer Mitchell Beer has created one of the event's biggest attractions with his two-storey pop-up pub, which has become the hottest ticket at The Gong. The marquee has expanded significantly from last year's successful debut.
"It was amazing last year, probably one of the best days I've had at the races, so we've gone again this year," Beer confirmed. "I think we had 180 last year and we've got over 300 so far. It's a great day and it's just probably a reflection of how this day has become so big."
Beer added that his horse Sunrise will hear the crowd's roar "at the 200 if she's still in front" during The Warra, which was elevated to Group 3 status in 2024.
Sunrise represents Beer's best chance in the feature races, coming off a terrific win on Melbourne Cup Day at Randwick. "This is a race we've been really getting ready for a long time and everything's gone to plan," Beer said of his targeted preparation.
The stable will also field Hellish in the Benchmark 78, describing the Queensland newcomer as likely to "run a really cheeky race at big odds on Saturday."
With perfect weather forecast, record crowds expected, and history potentially in the making, The Gong at Kembla Grange promises to deliver another unforgettable day of Illawarra racing excellence.
