An honest conversation at the start of the Sydney carnival has significantly bolstered Dylan Gibbons’ current impressive form during a major week on the racing calendar.
The skilled hoop guided Jamberoo to a close victory in Tuesday’s $750,000 Little Dance (1600m) at Randwick, three days after securing the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) aboard Pericles, a Bjorn Baker-trained galloper.
Jamberoo’s co-trainer, John O’Shea, a consistent supporter of Gibbons, revealed he had a candid discussion with the jockey at the beginning of the spring racing season.
“A couple of months ago, we sat down and had a little chat, and had some requirements we needed from him,” O’Shea stated. “I thought he had more to offer. We wanted consistency and execution. He was just making some poor choices in races that weren’t incumbent of a jockey of his quality.”
“He’s reacted. He’s responded, and look how he’s going. They can sook, or go the other way, but he took it the right way, and I’m really proud of him.”
Gibbons executed a flawless ride on Jamberoo ($13), moving quickly from a wide gate to sit just off the speed. The gelding sustained its run to win by a length from Anythink Goes ($51), with the topweight Estadio Mestalla ($7.50) a further short neck back in third.
O’Shea pointed out that Jamberoo had a strong record over the Randwick mile, including a previous win against his talented stablemate Cross Tasman and the recent Big Dance winner, Hellsing, back in February.
“If you go through his lead-up runs, they’ve all been really good and at a good level,” O’Shea commented. “He’s a horse that loves the mile at Randwick. He beat Cross Tasman here one day.”
Gibbons has now ridden Jamberoo four times for two wins, and he conveyed his confidence in the horse’s determination under pressure.
“I was at him a long way from home like he was going to run last, but I just know he’s got that good determination,” Gibbons said. “When he knows they’re behind him and got to get past him, he’s mighty hard to beat.”
The jockey then completed a running double in the next race, partnering Polyglot for Michael Freedman in the Choisir Handicap (1100m).
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