Nic Ashman's Doncaster Handicap Best Bets with the Gibbons 2023

The Group 1 Doncaster Handicap is one of Australia's great races.

It has always been regarded as the best mile race in the country.

Attracting a full field of 20 runners, it is always a specticle watching the large field fan the bend and storm down the long Royal Randwick straight.

This week, the feature event is going to have a special meaning for two jockey's in particular.

For the first time in their respective careers, father and son jockeys, Andrew and Dylan Gibbons, will ride against each other in a Group 1 race.

 

Nic Ashman caught up with the pair of them ahead of the occasion.

Get their thoughts on their rides, trainer inputs and Nic Ashman's best bets.

 

 

Father vs Son in Group 1 Doncaster

What a race we are in for this weekend and for most punters all that matters is backing the winner.

The public has been pretty vocal this week, with opinions flying left and right on the Melbourne weight-for-age form versus Sydney’s.

But around two hours north of Sydney in Newcastle, things are different. Here, a father and son rivalry is about to go to a new level. 

 

In the blue corner is Andrew, the Dad.

He’ll ride $41 chance Nugget in the Doncaster Mile for champion trainers Maher-Eustace.

Andy Handout gave Andrew his first winner in the saddle in December 1994 just under a month after his first ride.

Since then, he’s won more than 1300 winners but never a Group 1.

In fact, in 20 years he’s only had 11 Group 1 rides.

 

The son, Dylan, in the red corner, rides European import Duke De Sessa in the Doncaster Mile, also for Maher-Eustace.

Dylan rode his first winner in August 2020 when Ocean Ruler won a BM58 at Coffs Harbour just two weeks after his first race ride.

Since then, he’s ridden another 275 winners and went within 0.3L of a Group 1 victory when Montefilia just failed to run down Arapaho in the Tancred Stakes on March 18.

 

 

Exclusive interview with the Gibbons Family

“We’ve always had a great rivalry on the track but we’re best mates off it,” Andrew Gibbons said.

“I can’t believe the price of Nugget. He was only 2.2L off Mr Brightside last start and will be suited at a bigger track like Randwick.”

 

Here the full interview plus what Dylan said about the recent workout from Duke De Sessa.

 

 

 

Nic Ashman's Doncaster Tips

You can get Nic's preview for every single race on Championships Day 1 via his PREMIUM TIP PACKAGE HERE

Nic's package includes exclusive speed maps, staking plan, rated runners and more in an easy-to-digest format.

 

Doncaster Tips

1. Nugget $41
2. Zougotcha $11
3. Duke De Sessa $26
4. Hope In Your Heart $31

Head to our horse racing tip market to access the selections of proving winning form analysts.