‘Dream’ Narromine ride for Galea

The Narromine USMC Gallipoli Benchmark 55 Handicap (1300m) will close down the seven-race TAB card at Narromine and it doesn’t appear to be an easy race for punters to ‘get out’.

At Dubbo a fortnight ago Albertine Rose overcame a wide barrier to break her maiden status with Galea’s copybook ride a bonus for Narromine trainer Wayne Collison.

However on Monday, Galea has decided to ride Dreamwinner for trainer Max Crockett.

Galea’s wife Janelle, yesterday said the jockey has a high opinion of the two-year-old filly from Mudgee.

“She’s a pretty smart filly,” Janelle said of Dreamwinner.

“Joe has ridden her in two of her three starts for a win at Mudgee and then a last-start second at Gunnedah.

“Max had her entered for a race at Randwick on Tuesday but with all the rain down there decided to scratch her.

“Instead he turned to the Narromine race.”

Dreamwinner, owned by a local syndicate including Des Kennedy and Colleen Walker, has been more at home on a good track but her chances could come and go with the possibility of more rain in the district this weekend.

With Galea teaming with Crockett, Wayne Collison has opted for apprentice Hari Singh on Albertine Rose.

Meanwhile, Alan Gibson-trained Catador will be suited to the mile distance of the Rats Of Tobruk Benchmark 60 Handicap.

Gibson has booked Kody Nestor for the ride despite having to carrying top weight of 59kgs.

The gelding has put together several good performances over longer distances this preparation and last start stepped up to 2400m when fifth in a field of six at Randwick.

He’s back in more familiar territory this time having won one race and been placed twice from four starts over the distance.

Rodney Northam, Scone-trained Vain Saint with Dale Spriggs up looks the testing material with a good third last start at Newcastle when beaten a long neck by a half neck.