ANDREW Gibbons’ richest “result” so far in a 30-year riding career wasn’t on a
winner.
His third placing on $21 chance Nugget for trainer Ciaron Maher in the 2023 Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick earned prizemoney of $375,000.
Now circumstances have contrived to provide him with an opening to better that at Wyong on Saturday by winning the inaugural $500,000 Wyong Leagues Group The Lakes (1600m) – and with the trainer for whom he has ridden by far the most number of winners.
Gibbons, 46, rides Spangler ($9 with TAB.com.au this morning) for leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.
The pair have combined for 467 wins in Gibbons’ overall career tally of 1410.
Gibbons, whose first success was for the late Newcastle owner-trainer and Newcastle Jockey Club director Ken Delforce on Any Handout in a 900m Maiden at Broadmeadow on December 17, 1994, readily admits his booking for Spangler would not have arisen if the Wyong meeting did not fall on the same day as the $14m Magic Millions program at the Gold Coast, which has understandably attracted many of Sydney’s leading jockeys.
Nonetheless he is determined to make the most of his opportunity on seven-year-old UK import Spangler.
“I realise I wouldn’t be riding in this race if the top jockeys weren’t at the Gold Coast,” Gibbons said this morning.
“I’m appreciative of the opportunity, and really looking forward to competing in this new race. Loving this week’s rain too, and even better if there is more."
“Spangler has a great record on heavy ground (three wins from four starts including a near five lengths’ romp in the 2023 Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Randwick), and is in terrific order.”
Gibbons has never ridden Spangler in a race, but has been on him in some gallops since the grey gelding joined Lees’ team for Australian Bloodstock, and also has partnered him in a couple of trials.
The latest was on his home track’s course proper on December 30 when he ran second to lightly- raced Wizards in a 1200m Open heat.
“Spangler trialled well, and has now had two runs back from a long break,” Gibbons said.
“Saturday’s race is a drop back from contesting the Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick last month on a good track.”
Gibbons’ 400 th winner for Lees (Redoute’s Image at Canterbury on July 22, 2020) carried extra significance as it was his first city success for him.
He has ridden 17 winners so far this season – and five of the last six have been for Lees.
He scored on Cutepi at Newcastle on December 1, Wisnierska and Road To Paradise at Newcastle on December 7, Alliri on the Beaumont track on Boxing Day, and Barazin at Kembla Grange on December 28.
HOOFNOTE: Gibbons’ jockey son Dylan is currently sidelined following a left shoulder
reconstruction, the legacy of a fall at Port Macquarie on October 9.
He hasn’t ridden since The Big Dance meeting at Randwick on November 5, and is progressing well from the surgery.
“Dylan will go back to see RacingNSW specialist Dr David Duckworth around the third week in February, and hopes to be cleared to resume riding trackwork soon after,” Andrew Gibbons said. Story by John Curtis, 9 January 2025.
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