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By Ray Hickson

Dylan Gibbons has been waiting more than six months to avenge Luncies’ narrow Scone Cup defeat and he’s hoping that time comes on Tuesday at Randwick.

Dylan Gibbons (Pic: Bradley Photos)

It’s the only time the star apprentice has ridden the grey under race conditions and it was under trial conditions last week that he sensed the Group 3 $250,00 Schweppes Summer Cup (2000m) could be his big chance.

Kris Lees freshened Luncies after his unplaced run in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, over 2600m, at Flemington six and a half weeks ago and Gibbons loved how sharp the gelding was in a runaway trial win to prepare.

“That was the plan to give him a nice dash up for a furlong, he felt really good and he did it easily. I like the way he went about it,’’ Gibbons said.

“I nearly won a Scone Cup on him so hopefully we can go one better. I’ve ridden him numerous times in trackwork, I pretty well know as much as I can about him.

“He seems to love when his runs are spaced so it’s good Kris has gone back to that. I can see him bounce back because he was racing well before his last run.”

Luncies, $9.50 with TAB on Sunday, won four of his first six starts prior to arriving in Australia and has added two more in 27 local starts. He broke a two year run of outs winning the Group 3 Tatt’s Cup at Eagle Farm in June.

Gibbons said his record doesn’t do the seven-year-old justice and believes Lees has placed him well on Tuesday to improve on it.

“He’s been up in grade and run in some hot races so as much as he looks like he enjoys a placing he’s not like that,’’ he said.

“He’s drawn one so will get a nice run so if he’s good enough he’ll win.”

“I don’t think there’s too many tricks to him, obviously you’d like to get there later than too soon.

If Border Control can keep his racing manners in check then Gibbons sees no reason why the in-form galloper can’t atone for his narrow loss at Canterbury third-up when he tackles the All Too Hard @ Vinery Handicap (1000m).

The Adam Duggan-trained galloper went under by the bob of the head to Oxford Vision just over two weeks ago and the jockey said he only needs to hold his form to be competitive again.

“He just missed out the other day, he’s got a bit of an awkward head carriage which probably cost him winning,’’ he said.

“Adam’s got his horses flying at the minute, and that bunch of connections are having a great trot at the minute.”

A poor start cost Monfelicity when she resumed at Randwick last week, closing off late to be involved in a blanket finish behind Zouphora as she fell only half a length short.

While she only rises 100m in the TAB Handicap (1500m), Gibbons said he’s keen to see if the David Payne-trained mare can back up such a promising return.

Luncies wins a Wyong trial on December 15

“She went enormous. She was a bit fresh and kept trying to anticipate the start, when the gates opened she bungled it,’’ he said.

“I’d love to see what would have happened if she jumped and put herself a bit closer.

“They can taper off a bit second-up but David is a very good trainer and the way she was first-up she will take good benefit. I wouldn’t be surprised to see her run well.”

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday’s Randwick meeting