Trainer Barry Gibbons eyeing group 1 double at Wentworth Park
Trainer Barry Gibbons Jnr will be chasing a group 1 double at Wentworth Park on Saturday night in the Peter Mosman Opal and Vic Peters Classic.
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THE Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal (520m) will forever hold special memories for the Gibbons family courtesy of Lilly Banner’s victory in the female feature in 2020.
Owner/breeder Barry Gibbons and son, trainer Barry Jr, combined on that occasion and they’re hoping lightning strikes twice on Saturday night with Tulsi Banner, a daughter of Lilly Banner.
This time around could be even more memorable, with the father-son duo chasing a G1 double at Wentworth Park.
Boston Banner, a March ’22 Blue Moon Rising x Lilly Banner litter brother to Tulsi Banner, will also line up in the time-honoured Vic Peters Classic (520m) for the males.
FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT
“I’ve won two Group 1 races; the Peter Mosman with Lilly Banner and the previous one was with Big Sam Banner (2003 Association Cup), which was trained by my nephew, Jason Mackay,” Gibbons Sr said.
Tulsi Banner is the fastest qualifier for the Peter Mosman via a flying 29.59 all-the-way heat victory, her eighth win from 13 starts and second from three assignments at Wentworth Park.
Tulsi Banner is the $3.60 second elect to emulate her mother, with her dazzling early speed the key to overcoming box six.
“I think she can win – even though we’ve got our usual boxes, six and seven,” Gibbons Sr quipped.
“She’s got the early zip to offset the box, whereas Boston Banner doesn’t.
“She ran 5.32 early last week. That’s rocketing!”
Boston Banner was denied a sixth straight win when runner-up in his Vic Peters heat, beaten half a length by Rinsed The Lot in 29.41, clocking a scorching 29.44 in defeat.
While his winning streak came to an end, Boston Banner’s time was the quickest the Gibbons family has ever produced at the Glebe circuit.
Boston Banner is a $12 chance from box seven in the decider.
“He was being set for a staying career, but there were no races for him, so we switched him back,” Gibbons Sr explained.
“He won at Richmond over 622m in 35.50 and we were hoping he might develop into a frontrunning stayer, but what’s the point when there aren’t enough races for him?
“He ran 29.44 last week, which is the quickest we’ve ever had one go at Wenty and he gets beaten! I was just shaking my head.”
An astute breeder, Gibbons Snr has been rewarded for his gamble on sire Blue Moon Rising, a regally-bred son of Fernando Bale and Chica Destacada and a dual G1 winner over 730m at The Meadows.
“I took a risk with Blue Moon Rising, but we hit the jackpot!” Gibbons Sr said.
“He ran 29.58 at Wenty Park – that’s not a stayer – and I reckon he was out of the litter of the decade.
“I copped plenty of criticism for using him, but I’ve had the last laugh.”
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GROUP 1 PETER MOSMAN OPAL (520M)
1. OUT OF STYLE $8.50
2. BLAZING RASO $9
3. AU CONTRAIRE $2.90
4. HARMONY FIRE $19
5. LORRAINE JACKY $5.50
6. TULSI BANNER $3.60
7. TULLY LUNA $21
8. CANDICE KEEPING $5
GROUP 1 VIC PETERS CLASSIC (520M)
1. FLASH BOOM BANG $3.50
2. ZIPPING BONUCCI $12
3. FERNESS $4.20
4. RINSED THE LOT $2.60
5. TARZAN TEDDY $51
6. FOREIGN CAPITAL $4.60
7. BOSTON BANNER $12
8. ZIPPING KIMBLE $41
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