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By Ray Hickson

It’s a bold approach by trainer Kris Lees to tackle Friday’s Listed $200,000 Darley Scone Cup (1600m) first-up with Loch Eagle but his jockey Dylan Gibbons feels it could be a masterstroke.

Gibbons, who won the Group 2 The Ingham in 2023 on the gelding and has partnered him in his past two trials, is confident Loch Eagle will react well to the change of preparation.

It’ll be the first time the six-year-old has raced beyond 1400m when coming off a break and Gibbons said he’s given every indication that he’s ready for it.

“I just think he’s an older horse now, he knows what his job is and running him over shorter trips is not going to be his go,’’ Gibbons said.

Dylan Gibbons wins The Ingham on Loch Eagle (Pic: Steve Hart).

“I don’t mind what he’s doing at all. If you watch the trial you’ll see I gave him a pretty solid hitout because (Kris) had the plan to go to this race first-up.

“He trialled well enough to suggest he’s ready to rock and roll.”

Lees has also accepted with consistent gelding Tavi Time for the Big Dance eligible race, he ran fifth in the Hawkesbury Cup two weeks ago at his second run back.

Loch Eagle hasn’t raced since he finished last in the Magic Millions Trophy over 2200m in January but Lees has given him three trials, two at 1000m and one at 1200m.

It’s a somewhat similar preparation used with success by Paul Perry last year when Sky Lab won the Scone Cup first-up having contested the 2200m race at the Gold Coast.

“I know the horse very well and nothing fazes him so if there’s ever a horse to be able to handle it he’s definitely one of them,’’ Gibbons said.

“He’s got that good win to his name over the mile.

“When I rode him in the Ingham and he won and I said to Kris I’d love to see him at 2000m. He’s a versatile horse, Kris knows what he’s doing with him.”

Gibbons said any give in the track would suit Loch Eagle, his last win was on a heavy track over 1800m in December, though he concedes he’d prefer an outside gate.

Loch Eagle drew four in the Scone Cup while stablemate Tavi Time jumps from two.

“We do think he’s a bit better outside horses,’’ he said.

“It’s not so much he resents being inside horses but with his pattern he’s a horse that can quicken off a good build up.

“When you’re inside horses you get dictated to and when he can’t get that momentum he needs it’s pretty crucial to him.”

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Scone meeting