Gallen forgets finals disappointment to back Epsom favourite
NRL legend Paul Gallen might have preferred to be playing in the Grand Final decider this weekend but instead he will be doing the next best thing when he’s trackside to cheer for his racehorse, Te Akau Shark, in Saturday’s $1 million Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick.
Gallen is a part-owner of Te Akau Shark, the $6 favourite for the Epsom, a feature of the Sydney spring carnival.
“The Epsom is a big race and to have a horse running in it is very exciting,’’ Gallen said.
“I had not been involved in a racehorse before Te Akau Shark so to see how big and strong they are, and how fit they look, is pretty amazing.
“To get one as good as Te Akau Shark with my first horse, we have been very lucky.’’
Te Akau Shark is named in honour of the Cronulla-sutherland Sharks legend – but he could easily have been racing under a different name in the Epsom.
“Another of the owners is a Melbourne Storm fan and we decided the horse was going to be named on who won the 2016 Grand Final between the Storm and the Sharks,’’ Gallen said.
“So, it could have been Te Akau Storm but fortunately we won that Grand Final 14-12 and the horse was named Te Akau Shark.’’
Cronulla’s Grand Final win, the club’s only premiership since joining the competition in 1967, was also the highlight of Gallen’s 349-game NRL career that came to an end after the Sharks 28-16 elimination final loss to Manly-warringah last month.
Gallen admitted losing in week one of the finals was not the way he wanted his rugby league career to end.
“This year wasn’t meant to be for us, it was a bit disappointing,’’ said Gallen, who has a new career as an expert commentator for Channel 9.
Gallen said he would like to see the Canberra Raiders win Sunday’s NRL decider but believes the Sydney Roosters are set to become the first club to win successive Grand Finals since the Brisbane Broncos in 1992-93.
“I don’t know how they (Canberra) can beat this Roosters side,’’ Gallen said.
“This Grand Final will be won through the middle … and if the Raiders can get on top there they are a chance.
“But … I can’t see the Rooster getting beaten.’’