By John Schell
Jockey Andrew Gibbons will be out to follow up a feature race win at Kembla Grange on Saturday when he heads to Taree on Tuesday with a solid book of six rides.
Gibbons won the Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier at Kembla Grange on the Kris Lees-trained Imposant, and he will combine with the Newcastle trainer again at Taree when he partners
Golden Smile in the 13 May Gloucester Cup Day Maiden Plate (1614m).
Andrew Gibbons will have his hands full at Taree on Tuesday.Credit: Getty Images
Golden Smile is a UK import by Sea The Stars that was placed at Windsor on debut in May 2023. He had his first two runs for Lees in September and October of last year and recently resumed with a third at Newcastle.
“She’s a mare with a bit of upside; she’s heading in the right direction,” Gibbons said. “Kris gave her a couple of trials before she resumed, and she hit the line well in that event at Newcastle. The step up in distance looks like it will suit at Taree.”
Gibbons will open the day at Taree with the ride on the Joel Wilkes-trained Doncaster Avenue in the Art In The Vale 5/6 April Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1312m).
“He’s only had the two starts and I was on him at his first run,” Gibbons said. “He showed improvement at his second start and should be even better for this event.”
Last-start winner at Taree Wandjad will contest the Sky International Benchmark 82 Handicap (1614m), and Gibbons will ride the galloper for Wayne Wilkes.
“He’s a progressive horse that I’ve been riding,” Gibbons said. “He won well at Taree at his latest start, and while he’s up in grade, I think he has the talent to measure up. The extra distance shouldn’t be a problem for him either.”
Gibbons has three other rides at Taree, including the Mark Howard-trained pair Moden and Senalda in the Wingham Tigers Race Day 5 April Maiden Plate (1007m) and Stacks Law Firm F&M Benchmark 58 Handicap (1007m). He will also partner Spring Eagle for Rocky Simonetta in the Become A MVRC Member Country Boosted Class 1 Handicap (1262m).
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
Treasurethe Moment leads Vinery noms
Craig Kerry
Just 12 nominations were received on Monday for the group 1 $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on Saturday at Rosehill, where star Victorian filly Treasurethe Moment will be the headline act.
The Matt Laurie-trained daughter of Alabama Express was into a $1.40 Sportsbet favourite for the three-year-old fillies feature, her first assignment outside of Victoria.
The VRC Oaks champion has returned with two group 2 victories this preparation and will be expected to make it seven consecutive wins and eight from 10 starts on Saturday.
The other group 1 of the day, the $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m), had 22 nominations, including market leaders Vauban ($3.20) and Dubai Honour ($3.80).
Gibbons eyeing carnival rides in Sydney
Craig Kerry
Dylan Gibbons hopes to pick up lightweight chances in Sydney autumn features after returning to race riding at Newcastle with two seconds from two rides on Monday.
The two-time group 1-winner from the Hunter, who recently moved to Sydney, had not ridden since a left shoulder injury forced him to cut short his day at the Big Dance meeting at Randwick on November 5.
Gibbons had injured the joint in a pre-race fall at Port Macquarie a month earlier and it was later found he had a chipped bone and other damage, which required a shoulder reconstruction.
Gibbons, who rode She’s Got Teeth and Naughty Nurse for former boss Kris Lees on Monday, said he was 53 kilograms and able to get down to 51kg easily for big-race opportunities.
