Dylan Gibbons gem lands top prize with Hollywood Hero at Randwick
For a few strides around the turn, Gibbons looked to get out wider but decided to abruptly switch back to the inside and that proved decisive as Hollywood Hero railed through to win the Charity Challenge Handicap (1600m).
Gibbons is two months into his comeback from injury after he spent five months convalescing from a shoulder injury.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
'I came back at a tricky time during the (autumn) carnival but everything happens for a reason,' Gibbons said.
'This is the best I have ever felt on a horse, physically and emotionally, and I'm really enjoying my riding.
'I had a long apprenticeship but I've come out as a senior now and I'm in a very good head space.
'Physically, I've never been better and I feel very confident with my riding.'
Gibbons demonstrated that confidence when he drove Hollywood Hero ($5.50) through along the inside to run down Cool Jakey ($3.40 favourite) and win by one-and-a-quarter lengths.
Nellie Laylax ($21), the Irish import, was excellent at his Australian debut for Annabel and Rob Archibald to finish a length away third just in front of Green Fly.
'I was wanting speed but not quite that much speed, they went hard up front,' Gibbons said.
'I was worried he might find it tough to pick his feet up in the heavy going but he was always travelling really well. We got the run through and he was too good.
'He has loads of ability but I don't think we have seen the best of him yet.'
Hollywood Hero is trained by Bjorn Baker who continued his breakout season preparing his 78th city winner for the season to be second in the Sydney premiership behind Chris Waller on 122 wins.
• Pride sprinter makes most of gilt-edged opportunity
Baker revealed he give Gibbons a very simple set of riding instructions pre-race.
'Hollywood Hero is a strange horse as he just has to be completely switched off early in his races,' Baker said,
'I emphasised that to Dylan and he was on the same page. It was a great ride.'
Hollywood Hero scored the fifth win of his 29-start career, taking his career earnings to more than $450,000 prizemoney, going a long way to recouping the $600,000 part-owner owner Ozzie Kheir and the other syndicate members spent purchasing the gelding as a yearling.
Baker is always promoting his business and wasn't about to let an opportunity pass.
'Hollywood Hero was an expensive buy for Ozzie and the team, the horse is paying his way and I'm grateful to train for them,' Baker said.
'But I'm hopeful to get more of their horses – Ozzie have you had a look at my (training) statistics!'
Baker admitted he was unsure of immediate plans for Hollywood Hero but long-term he has the Little Dance in mind at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.
'We have got something to look forward to with the Little Dance in spring,' Baker said. 'It's a big race in its own right.'
Hollywood Hero gave Gibbons only his 10th winner of his injury-ravaged season – a far cry from the century of winners he rode in 2021-22 and again in 2022-23 – but it was a milestone 400th career winner for the talented young jockey.
• Punters in a 'Daze' as import causes a boilover
Baker and Gibbons then combined for a brace of winners in the closer with Miss Kim Kar in the Wilson Asset Management Handicap (1400m).
But Gibbons' ride on Miss Kim Kar was a polar opposite of his winning effort on Hollywood Hero as this time he brought the three-year-old filly down the extreme outside in the straight.
Gibbons has had more success with the Baker stable than any other trainer but Kris Lees and the trainer took particular satisfaction watching the young jockey guide Hollywood Hero and Miss Kim Kar home.
'Dylan's a great person and I've had a lot of luck with him,' Baker said. 'He rode my top sprinter Ozzmosis to his second win on this track.
'He's coming back off that shoulder injury but his career is starting to get some momentum going again.'
Gibbons, who has ridden two Group 1 winners on Explosive Jack in the 2023 Sydney Cup and Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes, revealed he rides trackwork regularly for Baker at Warwick Farm.
'I think it is Mr Baker's favourite day of the week because he smashes me every Wednesday morning,' Gibbons said.
'But if you go and do the hard work, he rewards you accordingly. He's great to ride for.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
NRLW Parramatta Eels defeat Cronulla Sharks 18-16
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRLW. Followed categories will be added to My News. Parramatta just missed finals in 2024 but they've burst out of the blocks in 2025 with an 18-16 upset victory over last year's grand finalists Cronulla in the NRLW season opener on Thursday night. The Eels are the youngest side in the competition and had five players making their NRLW debut against Cronulla, but they were clinical from the outset. Parramatta completed at 93 per cent in the first half as a kicking masterclass from halfback Rachael Pearson had the hosts on the back foot. Cronulla had several chances to win it late at Shark Park but the visitors' goal line defence stood tall all night and proved the difference. 'We're stoked. We had heaps of trust in our debutants, so we went into the game confident and they pulled through,' Parramatta centre Rory Owen said. 'The coaches will be ecstatic, we had a big focus on defence and I think we really showed we've been focused at training.' SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 03: Rachael Pearson of the Eels celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the round one NRLW match between the Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels at Sharks Stadium on July 03, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by) It was a thrilling contest between two genuine premiership contenders this season but it was a night to forget for the officials. They missed three blatant forward passes before one was finally picked up in the dying minutes that ended the Sharks' chances of snatching a late victory. PERFECT PEARSON Eels halfback Rachael Pearson booted the Sharks off the park in a dominant first half. Pearson set up the opening try with a grubber into the posts that caught Sharks duo Georgia Hannaway and Emma Verran napping as Chloe Jackson pounced to score first points of the NRLW season. Pearson also set up the second try with another grubber but this time for herself as she caught out Verran again and regathered to score a simple try. The Parramatta No. 7 should have had a third try assist off her boot but Martha Mataele couldn't reel in a chip to the corner. On the stroke of halftime, Pearson threw a dummy and sliced through before putting through a kick that should have seen prop Elsie Albert score but she couldn't finish. Pearson's general play kicking was also on point as she kept Cronulla's back three on the back foot all night. BATTLE OF THE FULLBACKS All eyes were on the match up between fullbacks Emma Verran and Abbi Church heading into this clash and it was the latter who got the better of her NSW teammate. Emma Verran. Picture:Abbi Church. Picture:Eels No.1 Church looked dangerous every time she touched the ball and ran for 123 metres from 14 carries and also set up a try. Verran endured a horror first half, letting in two tries and making two errors. But the former Dally M Medal winner showed her class in the second stanza with some dangerous runs and epic defence. Verran helped set up the Sharks' go-ahead try in the 49th minute and then made a try-saver on Zali Fay with just seven minutes left to keep her side in the game. She finished with 140 run metres from 14 carries. 'We were in it but unfortunately couldn't hold on,' Verran said. 'When we had the ball in the first half we looked dangerous and the message at halftime was go back through the middle and we did that and I thought we had them there but it just slipped through our fingers.'
Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
West Indies vs Australia, second Test day one: Pat Cummins backs top order
Pat Cummins has backed Australia's inexperienced top order to prove itself — starting with the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada. Opener Sam Konstas and new No. 3 Cameron Green contributed a combined 26 runs across both innings in the first Test, while veteran Usman Khawaja managed 47 and 15. With Steve Smith to bolster the top four in place of Josh Inglis, Cummins was confident the top-order would click. FOLLOW THE KEY MOMENTS FROM GRENADA IN OUR BLOG WITH DANIEL CHERNY BELOW Originally published as West Indies vs Australia, second Test day one: Pat Cummins backs top order after failures
SBS Australia
2 hours ago
- SBS Australia
#EXCLUSIVE: Caleb Ewan in his own words
In the latest episode of our podcast, Christophe, Macka, and Keeno sat down with Caleb Ewan , one of the most recognisable sprinters in modern cycling and a five-time Tour de France stage winner. While his reputation as a fierce competitor precedes him, the conversation revealed a more personal side as he opened up about his recent and somewhat unexpected retirement from professional cycling at the age of 31. I think if I was 38 or 39, it's a much easier decision to make. Caleb shared that the decision to step away wasn't easy. He recounted the emotional journey that led him there, marked by both professional tensions and the mental toll of high expectations. Despite the challenges, he was able to end on a high note, winning his final race, a moment he described as deeply satisfying and a fitting farewell to a demanding career. Winning made it more clear that it was the right decision to make. The discussion also explored how the sprinting landscape has evolved during Caleb's time in the peloton. He noted the rise of younger, stronger talents and how the physical and mental demands have become more intense. This heightened competition, he said, makes longevity in the sport increasingly difficult, especially for sprinters who rely on maintaining razor-sharp form. The level of sprinting now is so high. Now that he is embracing life after cycling, Caleb spoke about the relief of leaving behind the constant scrutiny and regaining time for his family, something he often sacrificed in pursuit of success. Though he admits to some uncertainty about what comes next, he's eager to rediscover himself beyond the bike. His reflections provide a rare and honest glimpse into the emotional realities of stepping away from elite sport. It's the first time in my life where I'm not focusing on trying to ride a bike faster.
