Dylan Gibbons is not counting on more group race glory on his home track on Friday at the Newcastle Cup meeting, but come Everest day, the apprentice is eyeing a genuine shot at the $2 million Kosciuszko at Randwick.
Gibbons, 20, has the ride on Australian Bloodstock galloper Edit in the premier race for country horses on October 15 after the Cody Morgan-trained gelding was picked up by Quakers Hill slot-ticket winner Alan Micallef on Wednesday.
"Cody and [Australian Bloodstock's] Luke Murrell messaged me a bit and said if he got in, I'll ride him, so we were just sweating on him getting in and thankfully he has," Gibbons said.
"On a big day like the Everest, you'd happily ride a 100-1 pop and thankfully I've got a live chance. I've been fortunate to have a couple of group race rides, but this will be the biggest prizemoney race I've had a ride in."
Edit, which was fourth in last year's Kosciuszko, was a $9 chance in early markets.
"It's a good result," Gibbons said of getting the ride.
"I trialled him heaps of times before his first run for Cody but then I was suspended when he had that run and won, so I missed out.
"But I've had plenty to do with him without getting a sit on him on race day."
Gibbons enjoyed the greatest thrill in his burgeoning career when winning the group 3 Spring Stakes on Festival Dancer at Newcastle last November. He rides $251 chance Kedah for boss Kris Lees in the group 3 Tibbie Stakes on Friday.
"You never know, you've got to be in it to win it," he said of Kedah.
"It's a bit of a tick-over run for her, but you never know. But I'd be surprised if they weren't a bit rich for her tomorrow."
In other Kosciuszko news this week, Scone trainer Rod Northam secured a slot with Spiranac, which was at $18, leaving just one spot to be filled in the 14-horse field.
Star jockey James McDonald has been booked to ride favourite It's Me, trained by Scone's Brett Cavanough. Sam Clipperton will ride Cavanough's other runner, Fender.
