Smiling apprentice rider Cejay Graham has her hand up in the air as high as it can go in search of a lightweight ride in the Stradbroke Handicap.
The 25-year-old nabbed her maiden Group 2 victory earlier in the carnival and the emerging rider has her eyes on going to another level in Queensland’s famous race.
Graham galloped Bjorn Baker’s Stradbroke hopeful Stefi Magnetica on Tuesday morning on the course proper.
Stefi Magnetica goes to the Group 3 Fred Best Classic this Saturday with the winner of the 1400 metre event exempt from the ballot for the Stradbroke later in the carnival.
In Stradbroke weights released earlier this week, Stefi Magnetica would carry just 49.5kg if she was to gain a start in the prized race.
That is where Graham hopes she comes into the equation.
Top Sydney pilot Tommy Berry is booked to do the steering on Saturday but if the three-year-old filly was to contest the Stradbroke, the lightweight Graham says she is more than fit and able.
“It was nice to have a sit on her on Tuesday and I definitely have my hand up if that opportunity arises,” Graham said.
“If it does not arise, then I am more than happy to help the team out and gallop these horses for them.
“I am really, really pleased with how it is all going and I am happy to just be galloping these high level horses if I am asked to.
“My plan is to just keep working hard and I will be here if any opportunities arise. I am naturally very light and walk around at 52kg at the moment.
“I would be able to make the weight of 49.5kg comfortably.”
The All Too Hard filly was an eye-catching runner in the Doomben 10,000 earlier this month where she came from last to finish a touch over a length behind winner Bella Nipotina.
The biggest win of Stefi Magnetica’s career so far is a Benchmark 58 Handicap at Orange on a Thursday but she has run well at Group level at her last three starts.
The Baker-prepared three-year-old is currently number 24 in the ballot order for the Stradbroke field and is rated as a $9 chance as of Friday afternoon.
Bjorn Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton is looking after the team while they are in the Sunshine State and was appreciative of Graham’s efforts to gallop Stefi Magnetica and Alegron on Tuesday.
“It was good to get her out on the course proper,” Hilton said of Stefi Magnetica.
– Racing Queensland
