Latest News

By Tony Megahey

The high achieving father and son riding team of Andrew Gibbons and rising first season apprentice Dylan provide the strongest push for punters throughout Scone’s eight-race TAB meeting on Friday.

Typically Andrew, with the momentum of the NSW riding premiership and 124 winners the previous season, has a full book, while in-demand Dylan, with 12 winners in the new season, has four select mounts. They’ll oppose each other often enough on Friday.

Total Recall (Christian Reith) bolts in at Hawkesbury. Image by Bradley Photographers

Dylan’s apprenticeship to Kris Lees offers all the opportunities possible with the quality and numbers from the Newcastle stable that contributed greatly to his father’s state riding title.

And like his dad, switched-on Dylan studies his form and race videos intently assessing last start winners Total Recall ($1.80 favourite on TAB) and Buckle Up Baby ($5) who have had huge imposts reduced by Dylan’s 3kg claim.

The Paul Messara-trained Total Recall was allocated a massive 66.5kg on the strength of three wins and a close second to plunge stayer Ocean Waltzer over 2400m at Warwick Farm recently.

“That weight is an ask in anything but he’s way back in grade off a decent city form staying race, conceding the winner 7kg,” Dylan explained.

“We know he’s tough and coming back from 2400m in town to 2200m, he’ll be really strong here,” Dylan offered.

“And his win at Hawkesbury was impressive - had 59 kilos and put a margin on them on a heavy nine, so like I say, he’s a tough young stayer with upside.”

Dylan also has a decent opinion of last start Canberra winner Buckle Up Baby whose 63kg is again reduced significantly by Dylan’s claim in a 1600m Star Witness-proven sire@Widden BM 58.

“This is a pretty smart mare, I went back through her form and her maiden win was super impressive and she’s obviously right back in form this prep.

“I understand she’s had issues keeping her mind on the job but if she gets the pace on to suit, she might be too good for these.

“But in a big field that’s some concern as she’s a backmarker.”

Dylan says his prospects don’t end there: “I rode Whiteley (race 6, $7) for Cody Morgan in a trial at Gunnedah and it won a trial at Scone before that, it’s goes okay. “It’s fresh form isn’t flash but if it gets the speed on It’ll be strong late, I know that.”

Four-race winner Gironde ($10) contests the seventh event: “He’s drawn right out, tends to get back but his form is a lot better than it looks. I mean four wins from 11 tells you that.

“I rode him at Scone and he had no luck whatsoever and the same his latest start. So if the speed is on and we can get some cover he can run a race.

“As usual Dad has plenty of live chances, so it might be a day for both of us.”

At present Scone is a good four track rating in fine weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Scone here