A candid discussion early in the Sydney carnival has significantly contributed to Dylan Gibbons’ current surge in form during a prominent week on the racing calendar.
The skilled jockey guided Jamberoo to a narrow victory in Tuesday’s $750,000 Little Dance (1600m) at Randwick. This achievement followed his win in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) just three days prior aboard Pericles, a Bjorn Baker-trained galloper.
Jamberoo’s co-trainer, John O’Shea, has consistently backed Gibbons throughout his career but disclosed that he had a frank conversation with the jockey at the commencement of the spring 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 demonstrated flawless execution aboard Jamberoo ($13), swiftly moving from an outside barrier to position himself just off the leader. The gelding maintained its effort to cross the line a length ahead of Anythink Goes ($51), with the topweight Estadio Mestalla ($7.50) securing third place a short neck further back.
O’Shea highlighted Jamberoo’s strong performance record over the Randwick mile, referencing a previous win against the capable stablemate Cross Tasman and the recent Big Dance winner, Hellsing, 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 partnered Jamberoo on four occasions, securing two victories. He expressed confidence in the horse’s ability to show determination when challenged.
“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 revealed. “When he knows they’re behind him and got to get past him, he’s mighty hard to beat.”
The jockey then secured a second consecutive win in the following race, partnering Polyglot for Michael Freedman in the Choisir Handicap (1100m).
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