By MIKE DILLON
Matamata trainer Jim Gibbs will try to win tormorrow's $11,000 10th Birthday of Starship 1200 at Avondale with his only current racehorse, ridden by an apprentice having her first raceday ride.
Smart sprinter Jaiapeno will be ridden by 18-year-old Sarah Kelly.
"Sarah's had only three trial rides and one of them was a win on Jaiapeno," said Gibbs yesterday.
The astute Gibbs has traditionally been very quiet in winter months. The only other stable member who could appear on raceday before September is Denang, an unraced trials winner owned by Newcastle trainer Paul Perry.
Jaiapeno has not won since taking an open sprint at Ellerslie in late October, but his overall form has been very sound.
He was beaten only half a neck and a short head after leading at Foxton last start and his close up placings before that were each just about good enough to win this.
The key to the race will be the 4.5kg apprentice allowance claimed by Sarah Kelly, formerly of Nelson.
With Life Of Riley carrying Noel Harris and his full 58kg topweight handicap, Jaiapeno will cop a 9kg advantage.
Jaiapeno finished just in front of Life Of Riley when only 4kg separated the pair at Foxton last start. Difficult to see Life Of Riley turning that result around when 5kg worse off.
"He goes forward, so he's the perfect horse for an apprentice having their first ride. Sarah won't get into any trouble on him," said Gibbs.
The big danger could be locally-trained Sir Albert, who looked at times last preparation to have ability well above average.
Sir Albert has not raced since November, but is a big, lanky type who can produce his best when relatively fresh.
Creme De Honor has been outfinished into second in his latest two races and gets his chance to put the points on the board in the $20,000 Streamline Freight Winter Cup (1600m).
He has to carry 58kg topweight, but that is only 4kg above the minimum weight and does not look prohibitive.
Mr McGerkle has not figured in three starts this campaign, but he is getting fitter with each run and there was a suggestion last start that he was on the verge of form again.
He likes heavy ground and it is worth remembering he won this race last year.
Racing: Gibbs looks for advantage
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