By Tony Megahey
The phenomenal combination of Kris Lees, regional premiership jockey Andrew Gibbons, and his son, airborne stable apprentice Dylan, is the strongest punting push possible throughout Tamworth’s eight-race TAB meeting on Friday.
While Andrew has the pick of stable prospects, Dylan rides contenders and is also in demand for other leading stables.
Because of an amazing 73 winners in just his second season, Dylan has prime rides for Cody Morgan, invariably hard to beat on his home track.
Lees identified the talent of Dylan as surely as with Andrew. Dylan has reduced his claim as rapidly as any apprentice in recent seasons and has a super strike rate.
“Exciting future Dylan, the talent but importantly a really good kid with the work ethic,” Lees offered.
Dylan assessed the family prospects prior to riding at Thursday’s Kembla meeting.
“We’ve done our Tamworth form, my best are Kanalaide ($2.15 favourite on TAB) that dad rode for Cody, Anethole ($1.85 fav) that I’ve won on, and Leisa Louise ($14) for the boss,” Dylan offered.
Kanalaide contests a Tamworth Tilt Tray Maiden 1400m. “Lightly raced, dad said out to 1400m will really suit and we’re drawn.”
Leisa Louise is in a Rapidclean Class 3, 1400m: “She was plain first-up, but I think it was the soft track - she was really progressive when I won on her last prep.
"She’s won two, placed at Doomben, back in grade and likely a firmer track.”
Dylan expects improvement from Jaja Chaboogie ($7.50) in the Civilcon BM 66, 1600.
“1600m is her limit but she’ll find the 1600m easier here than Newcastle where there was more pressure and depth.
“Dad won on her twice previously; really genuine mare, and she’ll be on pace.”
Dylan considers Lees import Sacramento Joe ($2 fav) will be hard to beat for Andrew in the second event.
“The stable has an opinion of him, had the two trials and that strong form last prep at Newcastle and Hawkesbury puts him in the right grade here.”
At present Tamworth is rated a good 4 in overcast weather.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Tamworth here