Racing: Former trainer joins celebration

Jim Gibbs at Pukekohe race course. Photo / Trish Dunell

Jim Gibbs was one of the first to congratulate Railway Handicap winning trainer Don Sellwood.

But that's what you'd expect from someone who wouldn't dream of letting his NZOM award in the Queens Honours affect him.

"When they called me yesterday morning (to advise about the award) I was shovelling manure and an hour later I was still shovelling it. Obviously, it isn't going to change my life."

Gibbs had a big smile for Sellwood and showed no sign of disapointment despite having trained Imananabaa until he downsized his team for pending retirement and the mare was transferred to Sellwood at Cambridge.

Gibbs has cause to reflect on last year's Railway, when Imananabaa finished a luckless third to Donna Rosita and Gee I Jane.