John Schell
Jockey Andrew Gibbons is hoping to strike an early blow at Muswellbrook on Tuesday when he combines with trainer Wayne Wilkes to partner leading contender African Diamond.
The locally based Wilkes will start African Diamond in the Magic Millions Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1280m) with the five-year-old made by Brutal resuming from a spell.
โI trialled her at Muswellbrook midway through last month, and she was close-up when finishing fourth in that hit-out,โ said Gibbons.
โShe gave me a good feel and seems to have come back in good shape. Iโve ridden her in four races now and have been placed on her in three of them so we are well overdue for a win.
โThereโs no reason she canโt be hard to beat on Tuesday going on the way she trialled.โ
Gibbons and Wilkes again team up when the jockey rides Sigsaly in the Muswellbrook Steel Supplies Tradies Day 27 November Class 1 Handicap (1000m).
โSheโs had the four runs back from a spell and she wasnโt far away second-up,โ Gibbons said. โSheโd need to lift on her other three runs to be a winning chance but she wasnโt far away a maiden winner at Scone late last year so does have the ability.โ
Gibbons rounds out his day with his third and final ride on the Angela Davies prepared Magatama in the Big Dance Day On 3 November Maiden Handicap (1280m).
Magatama is yet to be placed from four starts, but has shown Gibbons glimpses of ability to give him confidence heading into Tuesdayโs event.
โShe trialled well when winning one at Gosford in July and felt good in that,โ said Gibbons.
โIโve ridden her in both starts since resuming for a fifth at Muswellbrook and a sixth on the Beaumont track at Newcastle.
โShe was midfield in each of those runs and if she can put it all together on Tuesday, then it wouldnโt surprise me for her to run well.โ
Supplied by Racing NSW
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