Drew's career path a sure thing

When Drew Georgeallis was doing her schooling, she had more than a hunch that her working career was headed down an equine path, and more than likely in the harness racing industry.

“Ever since I was little, my dad George has owned and raced standardbreds, so it was bound to rub off onto me,” Georgeallis, of Melton, said.

“Now that I’m training my own small team, dad is a big fan and comes all the time. And we now drag my mum Sharon along as well!”

Georgeallis has been out on her own for a little over two years after being a stablehand for five years.

“I was with Jodi Quinlan for two years and the rest was spent with Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith during the first time they called Victoria home back in the mid to late 2000s,” she said.

“I just love working and being with horses. I’m based at the stables of Joe Pace and help him out in the mornings before doing mine. I get there at 7am each day and it’s starting to get cold again because I’ve been noticing ice on my windscreen.”

After Georgeallis completed secondary school, she studied for two-and-a-half years to qualify as a veterinary nurse.

“While I was doing this work, I got more and more involved with horses and that’s when I decided to try out as a stable hand. I think I’m hooked now,” she said.

“Jodi drove our horse a treat—but we only just got there,” Georgeallis said.

Seven-year-old Our Master George (Bettors Delight USA-Lizzie Maguire NZ (Christian Cullen NZ) took out the $7000 Haymarket Pace at Ballarat last Thursday night, winning by a short half head from Fuller Cee Ess (Jason Lee).

“We claimed the horse off Glenn Douglas in September 2019, and while that was his first win for us, he’s never far away and has run a heap of placings,” Georgeallis said.

“Mum and dad race that one so it was pretty special. I’ve had a few small issues along the way. It’s never easy, quite a challenge sometimes, but when you finally get there, it makes you more than happy.

“I was keen on driving at one stage and dad thought Our Master George would be ideal for me. I had a few goes and then ended up in hospital after a race fall. I was only there overnight, but it scared dad—probably more than me, so I now leave it to the professionals.”

Apart from Our Master George, Georgeallis is also training talented mare Manthadee (Shadow Play-Drewsam (Our Sir Vancelot) and an unraced two-year-old named Andrew.

“I think Manthadee can keep racing competitively – she’s a handy mare,” she said.

Manthadee has raced 76 times for 13 wins and 17 placings and is closing in on earnings of $100,000.

The pacer won six for the Butt-Smith team before Georgeallis took over training duties, posting five wins at Melton and two at Ballarat for the young conditioner.

“I’m enjoying training just a few because you can keep focus and pick up things quicker with them,” Georgeallis said.

“Dad and I are always talking about the horses—and mum often asks us if that’s all we know!” she laughed.

By Terry Gange for NewsAlert PR Mildura