By-passing the Perth winter and residing in Broome for the northern racing season is a decision apprentice jockey Austin Galati is very comfortable with.
It wasn’t an idea initiated by Galati or ever considered by him, but he’s certainly not protesting and is reaping the rewards of that move now.
By his own admission Galati felt he was falling out of love with racing, a lack of opportunities, the bane of many young jockey, his biggest hurdle.
But after a heart-to-heart chat with host trainer, Adam Durrant, Galati heeded sage advice and as a result is experiencing a confidence-boosting resurgence.
Since May, Galati has booted home 10 winners and been placed 17 times at Broome and Port Hedland, including riding his first ever treble and double.
They’re not comparable numbers compared to a William Pike or a Chris Parnham, but until a couple of months ago, they were rare results for Galati.
It’s his best winning haul and most productive strike rate since he took up riding two years ago.
From a non-racing background, Galati’s love of animals led him to racing.
He’s rapt to have the support of the states leading trainer.
“Adam (Durrant) sort of knew what stage I was at and it was a chance to start afresh again,” Galati told The Races WA.
“I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere and we talked about sending me here (Broome) with Robert Gulberti.
“It was Adam’s suggestion and once he told me I was a hundred per cent behind it and thought it might be a good opportunity.
“Rob’s been really good to me and the horses are going all good, even down in Port Hedland with the Rogers stable.
“I think I have ridden a winner at every meeting in Port Hedland.
“I’m riding with a lot more confidence and I feel it’s going to give me a much better chance of having another crack when I come back to Perth.
“I’m loving it up here and so happy I made the decision; it’s really going to give me a good boost I reckon.
“I have a lot of good people behind me and I have to keeping working hard and hope the good things keep happening.”
Gulberti says he’s enjoying his role as mentor to Galati. He believes the 21-year-old has the right qualities to be an accomplished rider.
“The results speak for themselves and the horses run for him,” Gulberti said.
“He has a great work ethic, is polite, has a good demeanour and I’m glad to have him.
“He’ll benefit from the experience of stable life and working with horses.
“He’s beginning to believe in his own ability and it shows in his riding.
“He’s riding with a lot more poise now.”
Former bookmaker and Tabradio form analyst Brett Lenton is also a big fan of Galati.
“He’s a slow starter Austin, but he’s turned the corner, Lenton said.
“He’s in good winning form the kid.”
Galati might be away from the main thrust of Perth racing, but he caused a bit of a stir when scoring his first win at Pinjarra 12-months back.
He caused a major upset piloting $101 roughie Noble Spirit to victory and edging out William Pike on hot $1.75 Sportsbet favourite Zaalah.
A month later Galati celebrated his first city winner aboard Flower Of Scotland at Belmont Park.
Galati is back in action with a number of rides at Broome on Saturday.
