THE duel between Suparazi and Gringotts continues on Saturday with the pair set to contest the $2 million group two The Ingham at Randwick.

After finishing third behind Gringotts in The Big Dance and then getting closer to his rival with a second in The Gong, Suparazi will be looking to pinch more ground off Ciaron Maher’s in-form gelding on Saturday.

Ben Brisbourne had no luck in the barrier draws though, with Suparazi drawing a wide gate 16, however, the local trainer hasn’t lost any hope.

“It’s not like all of the favourites have drawn inside and we’re in the carpark so I don’t think it’s too concerning, it could’ve been worse,” Brisbourne said.

“There seems to be a nice tempo in the race which will suit us, we’ll settle where we usually do – somewhere in the second half of the field.

“The most important thing will be finding the back of a horse that we know will take us into the race.”

The rise of Suparazi this preparation has been extraordinary and that ascendance only continues as he runs alongside the likes of Everest winner Private Eye.

“It’s nice to be involved in races like these and going in with a genuine chance because these are the type of races you want to be involved in,” Brisbourne said.

“We’re grateful that Suparazi keeps turning up for these big races too.

“He’s in super shape now and we couldn’t be happier with how he is, he hasn’t had any setbacks all prep.”

Suparazi opened as a $27 outsider which is huge odds considering Gringotts was installed as the $3.50 favourite.

“They (bookies) seem to miss him every time,” Brisbourne said.

“His run in The Gong was fantastic and he’s finished just off Gringotts in his past two runs.

“Gringotts has been carrying a fair bit of weight and we haven’t so hopefully that’s tiring him down a bit and we’ll have a bit more to give.”

Suparazi will carry 54kg tomorrow with hoop Blake Spriggs to pilot the six-year-old for the second successive time after steering him to a second place in The Gong last start.

“(Blake) Spriggs had his first sit on the horse last start and have him a great ride,” Brisbourne said.

“He was extremely keen to stick with him and he gets another go so hopefully he’s taken confidence away from last start and now he knows the type of horse he’s got."

It’s been a super preparation for Suparazi who has now pocketed $490,000 worth of prizemoney for connections from his past two starts.

And while he was competitive in city grade last preparation, Brisbourne admitted his star’s rise has surprised him to some degree.

“Coming into this prep his trials were sharper and we thought he was in the best shape of his career,” he said.

“But if you told me before this prep that he’d amount the prizemoney he has I wouldn’t have believed you.

“And for him to be running to his handicap mark as well is pretty incredible.”