Gibbs gears up Endowment for Guineas
Chris Gibbs will be flying solo in Australia this weekend when Endowment opens his Sydney campaign in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
The Ruakaka horseman has enjoyed a successful partnership with Donna Logan, who is now training in Singapore, and is officially operating in his own right.
“Donna relinquished her New Zealand licence and it’s just taken time to all go through,” Gibbs said.
Endowment has settled in well to his new surroundings and a bold run in the Guineas will confirm a tilt at the A$2 million Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) in a fortnight’s time.
“I’m very happy with him. He’s been eating and drinking well so there’s no excuses on those scores,” Gibbs said.
“He’s very bright and we’ll see if he’s good enough. I’d rather have had a better draw than 19, but we have to cop that I guess.”
The lightly-raced son of Savabeel booked his trip across the Tasman with a solid run for fifth from another wide gate in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) off the back of an unplaced run in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m).
“It was an exceptionally good run in the Derby after he copped a sticky track in the Guineas,” Gibbs said. “It looks like it will be slow at best at Rosehill so he would prefer a shower on the day and on a loose track I think he’ll be okay.”
Gibbs said they had no firm pre-race plan for Endowment, who will be ridden by Damien Oliver.
“It depends how the horse jumps and then we’ll see if Damien can work his magic.”