RANDIKI rushed home from last to snare a winning treble for Newcastle jockey Andrew Gibbons when he sailed to success in the Maurice: The Beast From The East Benchmark 70 Handicap (1400m) at Scone on Friday.
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Gibbons had won aboard the Kris Lees pair Clevanicc and Navua Mist earlier in the day, and gave Kylie Gavenlock an overdue win with Randiki, the seven-year-old gelding son of Falvelon.
Randiki was having his 40th start on Friday and notched his sixth victory with a last-to-first surge. “Good to see the right Randi turn up today,” Gavenlock said. “That was a good race for him.”
She believes there should be more benchmarked 70 races in the country and was thankful to Gibbons for his ride.
“He is riding well. He is on the crest of a winning wave and said he was going to ride four winners today,” she said.
Gibbons also had the ride on race favourite Sheilarized in the final race of the day. “You never doubt his ability,” Gibbons said of Randiki.
“It all worked out good for me. When I asked him, he let down really well. Also good to get a winner for Kylie too.”
In race eight at Scone, Artistic Beauty pulled off a strong plunge to win the final race.
The Cameron Crockett-trained chestnut mare was backed into favouritism in the Turangga Farm Class 3 Handicap (1600m) and hung on strongly to score a three-quarter-length win from Brett Cavanough’s Last Try Wins. David Atkins’ Marman was third after spearing wide on the turn and following last Try Win.
They had been back at the rear with Artistic Beauty and while they tracked wide, young apprentice Chris Williams, who had won aboard Azzie’s Ready earlier in the day, had set a course inside and navigated a winning run down the middle of the spacious layout.
Chris Williams claims 2kg but the young apprentice is a shooting star and knew he was on a good chance. “Cameron was very bullish,” he said of the Mudgee trainer’s thoughts on the four-year-old daughter of Excellent Art’s chances.
“He said it will take a good one to beat her. She’s also been knocking on the door and to her credit she stuck on well.”
Cavanough’s narrow string of losses returned this week after The Monstar threw away Wednesday’s Ramornie Handicap at Grafton to finish second to Calanda.
Last Try Wins was also coming off an unlucky second in a Highway Handicap in Sydney.
In the race six, a return to her home track, firmer footing and no blinkers helped Don’t Doubt Her rekindle her best form. The three-year-old daughter of Not a Single Doubt got back but charged home for Robert Thompson to ensure Scone trainer Rod Northam had something to celebrate.