UNFORESEEN circumstances have given Andrew Gibbons the chance to win today’s Ballina Cup (1590m).
It will not only be the 50th track the Newcastle jockey has ridden on during his career, but also the first time he has ridden at the Northern Rivers circuit - and it’s a special occasion.
As the $65,000 Cup carries Big Dance eligibility, Gibbons will be striving to qualify the Kris Lees-trained UK import for the $3m feature to be run over 1600m at Royal Randwick in early November.
Lees’ Queensland jockey Andrew Mallyon was to have ridden Lord Of Biscay, on whom he scored at the first meeting held under lights at the Gold Coast on December 20.
“The postponement of the last seven races at the Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast last Saturday until tonight has forced Andrew to forego the Ballina Cup ride,” Lees’ stable spokesman Danny Greer explained this morning.
“The Cup is scheduled for 5.14pm, and he would not have time to get back for the MM meeting at the Gold Coast.
“Andrew Gibbons was happy to step in and go to Ballina to ride Lord Of Biscay, who has trained on well since his last race.”
Lees will have two starters in the Cup, with Ryan Wiggins partnering stablemate Rogue Bear.
Blinkers go back on Rogue Bear, who hasn’t started since finishing sixth to stablemate Loch Eagle in an Open Handicap (1800m) at Eagle Farm on December 14.
“The Cup distance is a bit shorter than Rogue Bear wants, and hopefully the blinkers will help him hold a forward position,” Greer said.
“But Lord Of Biscay definitely appears the better chance of our pair.”
Stable apprentice Ben Osmond is in for a busy time with bookings for four of Less’ five acceptors at meetings at Canterbury tonight and Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
He rides Prime Impact (Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1550m) and Tigon Princess (Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1900m) at Canterbury, and Fulfilled (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 2400m) and Age Of Sail (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1500m) at Rosehill.
“Prime Impact is resuming and will take improvement from this run, but is an on pacer who makes his own luck,” Greer said.
“Tigon Princess is going well, and this race looks to set up nicely for her.
“She was shuffled back in a similar race at Canterbury on New Year’s Day and hit the line well.”
Whilst Osmond will use his 3kg entitlement on Prime Impact, he will claim only 1kg on Tigon Princess.
Sydney’s weather over the next 24 hours will determine whether Fulfilled takes his place at Rosehill.
“He ran super when placed at the metropolitan meeting at Wyong last Saturday, but we don’t want a heavy track for him,” Greer said.
“If he doesn’t run, there is another race for him at Randwick next Saturday.
“Age Of Sail is resuming, and whilst this is a good starting point for longer races, he has shown in the past he has the ability to perform well fresh.”
Lees’ other Rosehill representative is Oakfield Duke (Josh Parr) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).
“Oakfield Duke is a sneaky chance at big odds in a tough race,” Greer said.
“His best form is on both soft and heavy ground, and he has taken nice improvement from his first-up run at Randwick on January 4.”
Story John Curtis, January 17, 2025
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