Lilly Banner Delivers Gibbons Group 1 Glory

BARRY Gibbons Junior has landed group 1 victory at his first time of trying in Saturday night's Ladbrokes sponsored Peter Mosman Opal Final (520m) at Wentworth Park.

Going into the $75,000 to-the-winner finale as the fastest qualifier following an all-the-way 29.75 heat win, the daughter of Dyna Double One was simply superb in Saturday night's rich decider, leading from go to whoa in the bitches classic.

The watershed victory delivered Barry Gibbons Junior his first group 1 victory, the Cranebrook trainer from a family steeped in greyhound tradition, son of leading owner/breeder Barry Gibbons and cousin of New South Wales' premier trainer Jason Mackay.

“I couldn't be prouder,” said a delighted Barry Gibbons Senior.

“I tasted group 1 success with my nephew Jason (Mackay) with Big Sam Banner and to now do it with son Bluey (Barry) is something very special.

“Words can't describe it.”

Responsible for owning and breeding some of the best chaser's the sport's seen, it's been Gibbons' recent foray into training and breeding with son Barry at their Cranebrook property that's instilled a new found passion for the sport.

“We got together a few years back with the property at Cranebrook with the plan to give it a proper crack,” Gibbons said.

“I handle the breeding and Bluey looks after the training and I couldn't be happier with things. The best part about Bluey is that he's always prepared to learn and lean on others …  he doesn't miss a beat.”

Running a sizzling 5.39 early from box seven, Lilly Banner gave nothing else a look-in, scoring by 8 1/2 lengths on the line.

“We put a plan in place for her a while back and backed her a few weeks ago at $15 – we knew she was up to it,” Gibbons said.

“He (Barry) just goes about his business quietly and I'm over the moon that she's won for the team tonight. It's going to be a big night, we are going to go long and hard.”

Saturday night's group 1 victory extended Lilly Banner's career record to 17 wins from 33 outings, the daughter of Dyna Double One's career earnings now exceeding $110,000.

Ironically, her 8 1/2 length group 1 demolition was annexed in 29.75, the exact time she registered in last week's stunning heat success.

Finishing second in the final was Cumbria Ninno while Memories One filled third.