NEWCASTLE first-year apprentice jockey Dylan Gibbons grabbed his first winning treble and took his tally to 60 at Manning Valley Race Club's meeting at Taree on Monday where the spotlight was on possible starters for the $27,000 Wingham Cup over 1600m on June 7.
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His wins were on Belrose Express ($6) for Taree trainers Joel and Wayne Wilkes, Excelness ($2.80) for Newcastle trainer Kris Lees and Feneck ($2.20) from the Wyong stable of Kim Waugh.
Three-year-old filly Belrose Express was only having its fourth start and resuming from a spell in scoring by nearly a length in the Iron Horse Global Silks Plate over 1000m.
It beat Zaru ($2) which tried to lead all the way, it also resuming from a spell, and spoiled birthday celebrations for Taree trainer Matthew Robinson on the day and for veteran jockey Robert Thompson who had his birthday on May 13.
Wayne Wilkes said he was a little worried when his filly drew the outside barrier but she finished too well for the hot favourite.
Gibbons said filly Excelness railed like a greyhound in leading all the way to score by a neck from the fast finishing Swordsman ($3.90), from trainer Paul Perry's Newcastle stable, in the Hopkins Livermore Cup now 27/8 Handicap over 1000m.
"She has done a terrific job and when she strengthens up she will win more races," he added.
Two solid barrier trials had Gibbons pumped that four-year-old gelding Fenech ($2.20), trained at Wyong by Kim Waugh, would run a good race first-up from a spell.
The galloper didn't disappoint in scoring by just under a length from Newcastle early leader New York Nick ($41) and last start winner from the Robinson stable, Atlantic Lite ($3.20) in the XXXX Gold Handicap over 1250m.
Gibbons thought Fenech would be vying for the lead but was posted three-wide in midfield and finished strongly.
"A smart horse...plenty up his sleeve," he said.
Port Macquarie trainer Neil Godbolt called last start Grafton winner, five-year-old gelding Flying Mojo ($6.50),-- "honest...a tough bugger-- after coming from mid-field to score by a nose in the Kennards Hire-Taree Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1600m-the probable dress rehearsal for the Wingham Cup.
The gelding just triumphed over a recent 1600m winner at the track in five-year-old gelding Done Good ($6), trained by owner John Cooper from Wyong.
Winning jockey Samantha Clenton said Flying Mojo most importantly put his head down right on the line.
It was a genuine pace run race with another winner from Taree's last meeting, Telfer ($3.20), trained at Wyong by Jeff Englebrecht leading into the straight before weakening to fifth.
Godbolt said Flying Mojo in notching its fifth win had been "a fun horse" for his loyal Kempsey owners in taking its prizemoney to nearly $110,000.
Gosford eight-year-old gelding Neretva ($4.40), trained by Grant Allard, may have not won since February, 2019, but it still showed its ability with a 2.4 lengths win in the Wingham Cup 7 June Handicap over 1000m.
Jockey Aaron Bullock had three wins at Muswellbrook on Sunday and had an armchair ride on Neretva which made it four career wins.
Six-year-old gelding Jet Pilot ($6.50) broke its maiden status at its 38th start in scoring by a neck for Coffs Harbour trainer Peter Evans and jockey Raymond Stokes in the Welcome Overseas Visitors Maiden Handicap over 1600m.
Newcastle trainer Paul Perry quinelled the Taree Cup New 21 November Maiden Handicap over 1400m with three-year-old gelding Lincoln Park ($7), ridden by Mikayla Weir, and $2.40 favourite Sir Bawn, ridden by apprentice Reece Jones, in a nose showdown.
