09 July 2015
By Matt Markham
The race every junior driver wants to win goes on the line tomorrow night at Addington.
Since its inception, the Darren DeFilippi Memorial has been a must-contest race for junior drivers from the Canterbury region and further afield each year and if you ask most of them it’s the one race they want to win each season.
DeFilippi, the son of trainers Colin and Julie, was tragically killed in a car accident while on his way home from the Orari races in 1995, leaving the harness racing community reeling at the loss of such a talented young horseman.
The race named in his honour is a high priority on every junior driver’s list of goals for a season – and although only a few get the chance to win it – just the chance to drive in a race of such stature is regarded as a true privilege by those afforded the opportunity.
The DeFilippi family will have double the reason to enjoy this year’s edition of the race with their own stable runner lining up for the challenge.
Galleon’s Royale, who did a fantastic job when under the tutelage of Dave Anderson, has recently joined Colin and Julie’s stable and will have the services of their stable junior driver, Loren Lester.
Lester has delivered wins already this season for the stable with Ygritte and Millicent but this will be the one she wants to win for her bosses.
Galleon’s Royale hasn’t been sighted since February but won a workout on Chertsey on Saturday to ready herself for this week’s assignment. While Galleon’s Royale will be the sentimental favourite – Aaran Chief is likely to start the tote elect.
The Andrew Faulks trained runner is in a rich vein of form and off the front can be expected to try and dominane the race from the top.
Jessica Young, who ran a placing in the race last year, will do the steering. Phil Williamson also has a strong record in the race and he lines up the in-form Kylie Castleton who was a fast-finishing third at Timaru on Sunday.
Dropping out of the Golden Girl Series to contest this race, Kylie Castleton will be handled by her regular driver – Brad Williamson. Jeremy Markham, who worked for the DeFilippis early in his career will team up with his father Carl to drive another in form runner, Jean Sebastien who finished fourth in the race last year.
The big son of Love You was spotted coming from a mile back at Timaru on Sunday to finish within a length of Great Things Happen which should equate to being a good form line for this week. Other chances include Star Commando (Jeremy Anderson), Clean Break (Kim Butt) and Trick Star (Robbie Close).
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