Monday, 26 December 2011: Popular Newcastle jockey Andrew Gibbons is keen to break new ground at Inverell on January 1 if it means sticking with the in-form gelding Usain Prince.
Gibbons has never ridden at Inverell but told trainer Sue Grills he is will to make the trip if
Usain Prince is running in the Inverell Cup on January 1.
Grills named the Inverell Cup as the next step for
Usain Prince after he made it three successive wins at Tamworth last week.
The promising gelding dispelled any doubts he'd get the 1400m when he outgunned his opponents for a length and a quarter win with Gibbons aboard.
It was the sixth win in 19 starts for
Usain Prince 
and he put the time on he board with a class record of 1.21.73 to carve a tenth of a second off Northern Glow's long standing mark set in 1999.
Grills trains the five-year-old for a widespread syndicate that includes members based in Hong Kong, Glen Innes and Armidale.
“He'll go to Inverell for the Cup. It fits perfectly into his preparation,” said Grills, who is leading the Hunter and North West training premiership.
“It will be the right race to set him up for a race in Sydney.”
Gibbons rode
Usain Prince for the first time at his previous win over 1200m at Tamworth.
“He felt better,” Gibbons said.
“He raced with good control. He's a smart horse.
“Hopefully my manager hasn't taken any rides elsewhere on New Year's Day so I can go up to Inverell and ride him.”
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