Gibbons’ family affair
Dad chases crown as son gears up for debut
A LOWLY Taree meeting on a heavy track in midwinter on a Tuesday could be a significant day in Andrew Gibbons’ riding career.
Gibbons has a full book of seven rides, including five early race favourites, and needs two winners to claim the coveted 2019-20 NSW jockey premiership.
But even more momentous for the jockey is the riding debut of his 18-year-old son, Dylan, in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m).
The teenage apprentice is using his 4kg claim to reduce top weight and favourite Star Raider’s impost to 58kg. His father will ride Nicconi Lass in the same race.
“Nicconi Lass is some hope but Dylan’s horse Star Raider trialled really well the other day and is the one we all have to beat,’’ Andrew Gibbons said.
Dylan Gibbons was scheduled to have his first race ride at Cessnock on Monday before that meeting was abandoned due to the very wet track conditions.
Taree was rated a heavy 8 late on Monday and Racing NSW stewards were confident the meeting would go ahead unless there was a deluge overnight.
Gibbons said his son was “not really nervous, more anxious” about his debut.
“Dylan has always been obsessed with racing,’’ Gibbons said. “I never forced him into it. I hoped he would go in another direction but about three years ago I realised he wanted to be a jockey and I have done all that I can to help him.
“But I’ve made him wait. I wanted to make sure he was well and truly ready to go. I look back to when I started and he is a lot more advanced than I was in terms of his riding and understanding racing.’’
Gibbons has had another outstanding season and goes to Taree on 121 wins, just 1.5 behind NSW jockey premiership leader Blaike McDougall, who is suspended.