NEWCASTLE’S outstanding apprentice DYLAN GIBBONS will ride in the world’s richest race on the turf, the $20m The Everest.
Twelve months ago, the 21-year-old watched from the sidelines at Royal Randwick when Victorian sprinter Giga Kick won the race (then carrying a $15m purse) – and said it gave him goose bumps.
This time he will be on the other side of the fence partnering the talented Buenos Noches in The Everest (1200m) there at Royal Randwick on October 14.
Sydney trainer Matthew Smith has given Gibbons a tremendous vote of confidence by booking him for the lightly-raced four-year-old, who has started only nine times for three wins and as many placings.
It was Smith who provided the young Novocastrian with a stakes breakthrough on Festival Dancer in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle in November 2021.
Buenos Noches became the seventh horse chosen of 12 to run In The Everest when selected yesterday by slot holder TAB, which has the horse as a firming $9 chance following the news of early favorite Giga Kick’s absence because of a muscle injury.
Stradbroke Handicap winner Think About It is now the $4.20 favorite, just ahead of I Wish I Win $4.40).
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to ride in this year’s race,” Gibbons said this morning.
“I feel Buenos Noches is a live chance for sure (even before he was aware of the Giga Kick news).
“He was beaten only narrowly by Giga Kick in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington last October, and he’s a year older now and his two runs back have both been excellent.
Buenos Noches won’t start again before The Everest, but will most likely trial instead.”
Gibbons has ridden Buenos Noches at both runs this campaign for a first-up victory in the Group 3 Show County Quality over The Everest course at Randwick on August 9, and a strong-finishing third to Everest rivals Private Eye and Overpass in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) there last Saturday.
In confirming Gibbons’ booking for The Everest, Smith said connections wanted a jockey who could ride the horse throughout his spring campaign.
Smith paid $40,000 for Buenos Noches at the 2021 Inglis Classic Highway Session yearling sale.
A son of Supido, he is the second living foal of the unraced Northern Meteor mare Koi, who died only a few weeks after that sale was conducted.
.Gibbons has ridden 323 winners so far, and outrode his allowance toward the end of last season, where he tallied 113 winners, including a maiden Group 1 on Explosive Jack in the Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in April.
He had six rides at last year’s The Everest meeting whilst still eligible to claim 1.5kg, and rode $51 roughie Prime Candidate, which ran unplaced in the “consolation,” the $2m Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m).
*Words John Curtis, September 23, 2023 - Pic TAB*
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