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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Ben Looker is more than happy to ignore the form guide and trust Time Quest’s liking for Coffs Harbour as he eyes a piece of history in Friday’s $150,000 Moonee Beach Hotel Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m).

Jockey Ben Looker

The eight-year-old is aiming to be the first three-time winner of the Northern Rivers feature race, certainly since records going back to 1971 show, and as he did in 2025 he’ll need to produce a form reversal.

Pepperwood is the only other dual Coffs Harbour Cup winner, he was successful in 2012 and 2013, in the last 55 years.

Looker rode the Matt Smith-trained galloper to victory in 2024 with 54kg, the gelding carried 54.5kg last year and he’s back on the limit as he tries to recapture his best following seven unplaced runs on end.

“The year I won on him he came with good form, he’d run third in the South Grafton Cup and he got in on the minimum and won well,’’ Looker said.

“Last year it didn’t look like his form was as good but I think he just likes Coffs Harbour.

“Matt’s really good at turning his horses around, I know the horse has been out of form a touch but I thought his run three starts ago was really good over a mile.”

That run was a closing fifth behind Formal Display and God’s Window at Randwick but in two subsequent runs at 1800m Time Quest hasn’t fired.

Smith sent him back to the trials after his latest start, where he finished at the tail behind Tazima, on a very heavy track and Looker said while he’s drawn out for the third year running it will suit his style.

“They had to go forward last start which probably isn’t his way of racing,” he said.

“He’s so well weighted in it. He’s won the last two and he gets in on the minimum.

“His trial was good, they gave him a squeeze near the line to make him put them away so hopefully that gives him a bit of confidence.

“The track is definitely going to have the jar out of it. I think he’s a horse that’s better ridden a bit conservatively and later in the day usually they are playing down the middle of the track which would suit him.”

Talented mare Lunaite gets what connections would hope can be a campaign aimed at The Kosciuszko started in the Pier Hotel Daniel Baker Sprint (1200m).

Looker rode the five-year-old, trained by Paul Snowden, to win a Highway in November last year but she didn’t quite race to her best during her Country Championships bid earlier this year.

He said Lunaite showed in a recent trial behind Royal Exile that she’s coming up in good order and there’s plenty to be optimistic about.

“I thought she trialled well, Jenny Graham’s horse is a very up and coming horse and they ran slick time,’’ he said.

“She wasn’t out to break any records, she was there to get a bit of stimulation out of the gates with winkers first time.

“It was good to see her come out and trial like that. I’ve ridden her in a couple of pieces of work this preparation and she’s going really good at home.”

Time Quest wins the 2025 Coffs Harbour Cup

Lunaite will carry 55kg with the weights compressed a little through My Mum’s Toyboy, who will carry 61kg after the claim, and Looker is expecting to be more than competitive.

“Barrier one is a big plus for her, she’s going to bounce and put herself right there,’’ he said.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Coffs Harbour Cup meeting