Image: Darren Winningham.
There wouldn’t be many trainer/jockey combinations enjoying more success than that of Ballina trainer Stephen Lee and Brisbane jockey Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley.
Since teaming up together last year, Tilley has done an excellent job for Lee, riding 95 of his runners to 20 victories at a 21.1% win rate, along with 23 minor placings, making it is 45.3% place rate.
“I was lucky enough to get the chance to ride for Stephen almost 12 months ago, and I just happened to have two rides for him at Grafton, and they both ended up winning,” Tilley said.
“We’ve had a great run, and at one stage there, we were running on a 28% strike rate, and our connection grew and grew, and I think it is one of those circumstances where his training suits my riding, and we are getting winners.”
The pair were back at Grafton on Sunday, combining for another winning double.
Riding debutant The Astronomer ($2.35), Tilley guided the Ballina galloper to the front before cantering in for a 1.7 lengths win in the 1006m Maiden Handicap.
“He trialled the other day at Ballina, and it was a strong trial, and we were confident he would go good, but I don’t think we’ll see the best of that horse until next year in the Guineas,” Tilley said.
“Looking at him today and the shape he’s got, It was unbelievable that he won over 1006 metres because he looks like a horse that will run 1400m to a mile.”
Two races later, the pair had their double, with Tilley winning on Revontulet ($2.50) when flashing from well off the pace to score a 1.27 lengths victory in the 1410m Maiden Plate.
“I was a little bit worried going into the race, especially after the leaders won the first two races,” Tilley said.
“They ran a bit of tempo, and it worked out well for us, and I knew I had a lot of horse under me.
“Stephen said to me before the race that If I weren’t three deep, I’d be winning, and once I gave her a bit of daylight, she let down beautifully and won really well.”
Sunday’s efforts at Grafton followed on from a stellar day’s racing at Rockhampton on Saturday, where Tilley rode a winning treble and won the $150,000 Rockhampton Cup (1600m) on the Graeme Green-trained Master Jamie.
In fact, the pair made it back-to-back wins in the famous Country Cup, and it was Tilley’s third win in the race following his victory on Mamselle Corday in 2018.
“I’ve had a bit of a connection with Master Jamie throughout his whole career,” Tilley said.
“I’ve won 11 on him of the 18 he’s won, and I rode him at his first ever start, his first ever win, and to win back-to-back Rocky Cups on him is just unheard of.
“Plus, being a Rocky horse and $10,000 Magic Millions buy, it’s a good feeling and a great story.”
The fact that Tilley is riding so well of late is made all the more incredible, considering that he was only recently involved in a nasty fall at Townsville.
As a result of the incident, he dislocated his thumb, tearing the tendon away from the bone, and has since ridden in a brace as he awaits surgery.
“I was actually meant to have surgery on my hand, and Stephen was panicking about who was going to ride for him, and I thought, with the Grafton and Rockhampton carnivals coming up, I should push the surgery back, so I got a brace made up to come back riding,” Tilley said.
“I think I’ll push it back again because the most challenging part is that the North Queensland carnival has just started.
“I’ve Grafton Wednesday and Thursday, then I’m back Mackay for the Newmarket on Friday, before coming back to Grafton on Sunday, and then I’ll see the doctor on Wednesday and see how it is going.
“I’m hoping the doctor says it’s healing, but I get the impression it will still need surgery.”
Tilley started his career in St George riding for renowned Queensland country trainer Pat Webster.
He has always ventured into NSW for chances, initially racing at Moree, Mungindi, Inverell and other North West meetings.
Now based in Brisbane, he rides in the Northern Rivers whenever he can, and he has a busy couple of days ahead of him, taking seven rides for Lee during the main two days of the 2023 Grafton July Carnival on Wednesday and Thursday.
For Sunday’s Grafton results, click here.
For Wednesday’s Grafton fields, click here.
For Thursday’s Grafton fields, click here.
