Gibbons est convaincu que Luke Skywalker peut être une force à Quirindi

Jockey Andrew Gibbons is set to take on three potential winners in the opening four races at Quirindi on Tuesday, including the promising three-year-old Luke Skywalker. The event marks Gibbons' return to competitive racing following a single ride at Wyong on Sunday, where he finished second aboard the Angela Davies-trained Expido. Gibbons will partner Magatama in the Willow Tree Cup Day 22nd August Maiden Plate (1100m) at Quirindi. The mare, who made her debut at Port Macquarie in February, showed promise in her initial outing before finishing fourth at Taree. After a break, she returned to competition and won a trial at Gosford under Gibbons' guidance. The jockey expressed confidence in her form, noting the significant improvement since her return to training. In addition to Magatama, Gibbons will ride Luke Skywalker in the Tab.com.au Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1450m). The horse, who has had four starts under Tamworth trainer David Hatch, has shown consistent performance. Gibbons noted that Luke Skywalker placed third in his first start for Hatch at Muswellbrook and followed up with another placing. While the horse was positioned further back during these runs, his recent performances suggest he could challenge strongly in Tuesday's race. Another contender for Gibbons is Immortal Rose, who will compete in the Become A QJC Member Today Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1600m). The filly, also trained by Hatch, recently secured a victory at Quirindi after narrowly missing out on a place at Scone and Tamworth. Her latest run saw her race on the speed and finish strongly, earning praise from Gibbons. Having only had three starts for Hatch, Immortal Rose has yet to reach her full potential, and a repeat of her maiden win could position her as a serious threat. Luke Skywalker's career has included stints with trainer Tony Gollan before moving to Hatch. His transition appears to have yielded positive results, with continued improvements evident in his recent outings. Gibbons believes the horse has the ability to perform well against stronger opposition, particularly given his recent placements. Immortal Rose's history includes time with a different stable prior to joining Hatch. Despite limited appearances under the new trainer, she has demonstrated the capacity to deliver strong performances. Gibbons highlighted that the filly's total of ten starts suggests there is room for further progress, especially if she continues to show the kind of form that led to her recent success. Both Luke Skywalker and Immortal Rose represent fresh opportunities for Gibbons, who is eager to build on his previous success. With multiple entries in the early races, the jockey aims to capitalize on his experience and the potential of his mounts. As the day unfolds, attention will focus on how these horses respond to the challenges of Quirindi's track, with Gibbons ready to guide them toward favorable outcomes.