Toowoomba team aiming for special city win

By Jordan Gerrans

The George Moore Stakes will always be a significant race in the career of Darling Downs trainer Wayne Nugent. 

Named after one of the Sunshine State’s champion riders, Nugent claimed the 2008 edition with his former stable star Friendly Embrace. 

To win the Group 3 event almost two decades ago was a red-letter day and career highpoint for the Toowoomba conditioner who only keeps a small team in work. 

It is the lone black-type triumph on his resume. 

The George Moore Stakes rolls around for another season on Saturday afternoon at Doomben. 

Nugent doesn’t have a Friendly Embrace-style galloper in his barn anymore as he mainly races on the country and provincial circuit. 

Instead of a black-type performer, he has mare Galeka who has snuck into the Country Stampede Final.

The 59-year-old Nugent has revealed that if Galeka was to win the CS on Saturday, it would be the greatest moment in his training tenure, which dates back to the early 1990s.

That sounds odd considering the trainer has won at Group 3 level while the CS is for bush sprinters.

For Nugent, it is all about his apprentice hoop Jade Metcalfe.

The 21-year-old does not usually compete in the city, but she has been given clearance to pilot her master's galloper against some of the best jockeys in the state on Saturday.

“If we are fortunate enough to win, then it will be the most special of my training career,” Nugent said while wiping away tears.

“Just for Jade, the journey she has been on for the last few years.

“To get to this point and have the opportunity to ride in Brisbane and showcase her skills, it is amazing for her.”

Darling Downs trainer Nugent has been instrumental in Metcalfe’s journey as a fledgling hoop, initially handing her more opportunities as a stablehand before guiding her towards becoming a jockey.

All three of Metcalfe’s rides at Warwick on her first official day in the saddle back in June of 2023 were for Nugent, who she has worked for since August of 2021.

The apprentice hoop was named the Racing Queensland Student of the Year at the 2025 Queensland Thoroughbred Awards.

Metcalfe will be competing against Group 1-winning hoops such as Ben Thompson and Daniel Moor for the first time in her career on Saturday.

“The whole experience is something to look forward to, I am excited,” the young hoop said.

“I am grateful for the opportunity more than anything, especially being on Galeka – my favourite.

“These opportunities do not come around often to be racing in the city at Doomben.

“I will be riding against those top jockeys; I watch them closely.”

The team of Galeka, Metcalfe and Nugent are very lucky to be able to race in Saturday’s CS decider.

The majority of the runners in the field have won a heat across Queensland in recent months to book their ticket to the showpiece event. 

However, Galeka’s best effort in a heat was finishing third at Chinchilla in early November.

Nugent chucked a nomination in for the 1100 metre contest and with other heat winners not accepting for the decider – the team were able to sneak in.

Galeka’s owner David Digney is just as supportive of the apprentice jockey's career as Nugent has been. 

“It is a big occasion for the horse and Jade,” Nugent said.

“Jade has a good relationship with the horse and they work well together.

“They understand each other very well and that helps on race day.

“Jade knows exactly how she wants to race and where to put her in the run.

“David has been as invested in Jade’s career as I have and there was no question who would be riding this horse on Saturday.”

Galeka will be one of the outsiders in the field for the $105,000 race on Saturday as she has not won since August of last year.

But, in her three victories since arriving in Queensland in July of 2023, Metcalfe has been in the saddle on every occasion.

“I love her very, very much,” the jockey said.

Since the chestnut mare’s last win in August of 2024, she has placed on five occasions from nine attempts.

Veteran conditioner Nugent believes the style of racing in the city will suit his mare on Saturday.

“I think she has the talent to take the next step,” Nugent said.

“The country tracks where she usually races are short and tight, with her racing pattern being to get back in the run.

“I think Doomben will suit her better.

“She will get back in the run and hopefully finish off well.”

The daughter of Impending has drawn the widest barrier on offer for Saturday’s scamper. 

But, with Metcalfe’s featherweight of 52kg on her back, the apprentice thinks she can run a cheeky race.

“She is feeling good, well and her normal self,” the apprentice said.

“If she puts her best foot forward, she has it in her.

“The barrier we have drawn, that is not going to worry us because she likes to relax out the back a little bit.”

Nugent prepares a team of around eight at Toowoomba.

The retired Friendly Embrace won 11 career races and from a prizemoney perspective has been the greatest racehorse in Nugent’s almost four decades training.