A sought-after jumps jockey, Richard Cully could be sitting at home watching the Australian Hurdle and Steeplechase on television when they are run at Sandown.
But at Flemington a day earlier, Cully will have his trainer’s hat on when he saddles Celtic Blast in a benchmark 78 grade race on Saturday.
Celtic Blast will be Cully’s third starter as a trainer.
The gelding did not get far, losing jockey Justin Huxtable at his first run for Cully at Morphettville last month before breaking through at Sandown on May 8 under John Allen.
“I didn’t get too carried away. I was always still on earth, but it was pretty good,” Cully said of the win.
“John booked himself the other day which is great as he’s riding in great form.
“He’s as good as you’re going to get I think and hopefully we can combine again.”
Cully said Celtic Blast seemed in better order than when he won at Sandown and he was impressed with his gallop at Ballarat on Tuesday.
He said he would accept with the sprinter on Wednesday and make a final decision after studying the race.
“We’ll see how he draws, have a talk to John and see what he thinks, but all-going well he’ll be going there,” Cully said.
“He seems to be in as good, if not better order, going into Saturday, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Cully is no stranger to big race success over jumps but is so far struggling to pick up a ride in the three races programmed for Sandown on Sunday.
His feature wins include two Grand Annual Steeplechases at Warrnambool, two Grand National Steeplechases aboard Wells and the 2014 Australian Steeplechase.
“I don’t have a ride at this stage on Sunday but we’ll try and get something to take part,” Cully said.
“I looked at the nominations and a few of the ones that I ride might not run, so I don’t know how the fields will stack up.
“Hopefully someone feels sorry for me and will give me a ride.”
