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Powermax makes it three this term for first-time owners
It was a night for honest gallopers at Happy Valley, with Richard Gibson-trained Powermax adding a third win from eight starts in the first section of the Class 3 Dorset Handicap (1200m).
“It’s a great story,” Gibson said after Powermax landed a half-length victory over last-start winner Trump. “The owners are a group of young, enthusiastic owners, and this is their first ever horse – none of them have had a racehorse before. So for them to have a horse like this, who is so honest, has never missed a cheque and has now won three in his first season? It’s terrific. I’m so pleased for them.”
Powermax’s triumph gave Gibson his fifth winner from the last seven meetings, taking him to 12 wins for the season and within striking range of the 16-win benchmark – not that it was at the forefront of the handler’s thoughts.
“As trainers, it is something that we don’t think about,” he said. “We aren’t interested in that story. We just focus on doing our job, working hard every day, getting out there and doing the best we can.”
However, Gibson also acknowledged that a change in fortune can come from strange places: “Draw number 12 has been very lucky to me recently. This is my third win from gate 12 this season at Happy Valley after Jetwings and then Litterateur last week, so that’s rare.”
Gibson also paid tribute to rider Neil Callan, who remains the only jockey to have won on the Magnus gelding. It was the Irishman’s 38th winner of the term, cementing his position in third in the jockeys’ championship behind Joao Moreira (146) and Zac Purton (81).
“I was very glad Neil was back aboard tonight,” he said. “He gets on particularly well with the horse and I think it’s safe to say he made a difference tonight.”
