KEY POINTS:
Brian Hibberd racked up his 1000th win as a jockey in New Zealand yesterday - but there is one further win he would probably savour more.
Hibberd is keen to add another New Zealand Cup win to his curriculum vitae.
He has already ridden the winner of the New Zealand Cup five times which equals the record for most wins by a jockey in the race.
It may be five months until the next New Zealand Cup at Riccarton in November but Hibberd is already eyeing the race with Montjeu 4-year-old mare Mystify.
Hibberd rode Mystify, trained by Nick Wigley, to win the $25,000 Great Autumn Amberley Cup (2500m) at Riccarton on May 26 at her last start.
"I think she would be a good Cup ride," Hibberd said. "She's a lovely, big mare. She's a half-sister to Torlesse (who won the 2003 New Zealand Cup).
"A sixth New Zealand Cup win - that would be special."
Hibberd, 48, rode two winners at the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting at Riccarton yesterday to bring up his 1000th New Zealand win. He has also won about another 40 races in Australia.
He is the 18th rider to win 1000 races in New Zealand.
The first of Hibberd's wins yesterday was aboard $3.20 favourite Envy Me in race eight and win No 1000 came with Te Mata Prince in race 10 of the 11-race programme. Te Mata Prince was not among the favourites, paying $13 to win.
Riccarton is Hibberd's home track and is among his favourites.
He has ridden 99 winners there but has more than 100 wins at both Trentham in Wellington and Awapuni in Palmerston North.
Hibberd started his racing career in the North Island. He did a 12-month probation period with Woodville trainer Jock Harris and another six months' apprenticeship.
And the top rider said he had no thoughts of retirement.
He has formed a good partnership with Riccarton trainer Shane Marr who is the trainer of 4-year-old mare Ombre Rose.
She has won seven of 12 starts to date.
- NZPA
