Image – Racing Photography.
Sebastian Galea is fast becoming a handy amateur jockey since breaking through for his first win on the Joseph Craig-trained Pride Pluck at Moree in May.
Now working for Bjorn Baker in Warwick Farm, the 17-year-old is continuing to learn his trade, bringing up seven career winners, while his most recent victory arrived on the Richard Jackson-trained The Drafter at Cobar on Saturday.
Still, a Picnic Cup has eluded Galea, and he gets his best chance over the October long weekend when riding at Lockhart on Friday and Mungery on Sunday.
“I’ve got a couple of good rides, and I’d be pretty disappointed if I can’t pick up at least one of the two,” Galea said.
“Still, it’s racing, and anything can happen, but I’ll find out over the next few days.”
Riding at Lockhart, Galea jumps aboard the Darrell Burnet-trained I Am Richenuff in the $10,000 Verandah Town Cup (1400m).
On paper, the Wagga galloper appears to be a class above the picnics, having won races at Narrandera, Gundagai, and Young.
The Rich Enuff gelding brings good form into the Lockhart feature following a first-up third in a 1460m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Queanbeyan earlier this month.
Allotted 68.5kg, I Am Richenuff will carry the top weight, which is why Galea was given the opportunity to ride him.
“It actually all came about because of Leandro (Ribeiro),” Galea said.
“Darrell Burnet rang Leandro with the intention of more or less getting a bit of weight off the horse and a big thanks to Leandro as he passed the ride on to me.
“I then got hold of Darrell, booked the ride, and I’m really looking forward to it, and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity.”
At Mungery on Sunday, Galea is again on the top weight (63kg) when riding the Sharon Jeffries-trained Jin Chi Phantom.
The Parkes galloper will go around as one of the main chances after rediscovering his best form in recent starts.
In August, the eight-year-old landed a good victory in the 1800m Benchmark 50 Handicap at Gulargambone before a four-week freshen-up leading into Saturday’s Grenfell Cup (2000m).
After doing much of the hard work early, Jin Chi Phantom held on for third, beaten three lengths by the eventual winner, Would Be King.
This year’s edition of the Mungery Cup appears to be a step down in class compared to the Grenfell Cup, and Galea believes he is on the right horse.
“I’m looking forward to Mungery; I have some nice rides, and hopefully, I have a good day at Lockhart on Friday and can back it up on Sunday,” Galea said.
“I just watched the replay of Jin Chi Phantom’s run at Grenfell, and they went at a solid speed, and to the horse’s credit, he did well to stick on and run third.
“I am hoping we can steal a soft lead, and I can rate the race from out in front, catch them napping and win.”
This weekend kicks off what will be a busy little period for NSW picnic racing fans and participants.
The Lockhart and Mungery meetings will be followed by the Burrangong (Young) picnic meeting on Saturday, October 7 and the $50,000 NSW Picnic Champion Series final at Coonamble on Sunday, October 8.
Harden then races on Saturday, October 28, before Bong Bong’s famous meeting returns on Friday, November 24.
For Lockhart fields, click here.
For Mungery fields, click here.
