Noel Callow pictured winning on Black Jag
Darryl Sherer
Globetrotting jockey Noel Callow has answered an SOS call from Cambridge trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young to partner Tavago in Saturday week's Gr.1 BMW New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.
Callow is currently based in Melbourne but has ridden in places as diverse as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, Mauritius and Singapore and gets a grand opportunity for New Zealand Derby success on one-time favourite Tavago.
The Tavistock gelding started a $2.70 favourite for the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa earlier this month, but was well below his best in finishing last of the 13 runners in a race won by subsequent Gr.2 Avondale Guineas winner Rangipo.
Busuttin and Young opted to bypass the Avondale Guineas in order to give Tavago a chance to bounce back to his best form and have decided to take their shot at the Derby with a four-week gap between races and using a new jockey in Callow.
"I've been thinking about a suitable jockey since the Waikato Guineas and I think we've got the right man in Noel Callow," Busuttin said.
"He's a top-class jockey who doesn't get the rides at the premier meetings in Melbourne that he probably should. He rode Werther in Australia for Tommy Heptinstall and we got on to him through that.
"The horse is very laid-back and he wants a good aggressive rider and that's exactly what Noel is. The more you ask of the horse, the more he gives."
Tavago has won two of his five starts, claiming the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki in November, beating Shadows Cast, Zacada and Rangipo, before a slashing fresh-up third in the Listed Karaka 3yo Mile at Ellerslie, when he closed with a 33.68-second last 600m, beating home subsequent Avondale Guineas runner-up Brighton.
"He jarred up on the hard track at Te Rapa but we've given him a week on the water-walker and he had his first serious piece of work this morning and his work was excellent," Busuttin said.
"We're very happy with him. We know absolutely that it's a massive ask to turn the form around but the horse is good enough to win on his best form. Whether he's at that point or not, we'll find out on Derby day."
Busuttin and Young have also confirmed a Derby start for Savabeel gelding Predator, who finished seventh in last Saturday's Avondale Guineas under Jonathan Riddell, who retains the ride for the March 5 classic.
A decision on whether Animator joins the pair will be made next week. - NZ Racing Desk.
Callow is currently based in Melbourne but has ridden in places as diverse as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, Mauritius and Singapore and gets a grand opportunity for New Zealand Derby success on one-time favourite Tavago.
The Tavistock gelding started a $2.70 favourite for the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa earlier this month, but was well below his best in finishing last of the 13 runners in a race won by subsequent Gr.2 Avondale Guineas winner Rangipo.
Busuttin and Young opted to bypass the Avondale Guineas in order to give Tavago a chance to bounce back to his best form and have decided to take their shot at the Derby with a four-week gap between races and using a new jockey in Callow.
"I've been thinking about a suitable jockey since the Waikato Guineas and I think we've got the right man in Noel Callow," Busuttin said.
"He's a top-class jockey who doesn't get the rides at the premier meetings in Melbourne that he probably should. He rode Werther in Australia for Tommy Heptinstall and we got on to him through that.
"The horse is very laid-back and he wants a good aggressive rider and that's exactly what Noel is. The more you ask of the horse, the more he gives."
Tavago has won two of his five starts, claiming the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki in November, beating Shadows Cast, Zacada and Rangipo, before a slashing fresh-up third in the Listed Karaka 3yo Mile at Ellerslie, when he closed with a 33.68-second last 600m, beating home subsequent Avondale Guineas runner-up Brighton.
"He jarred up on the hard track at Te Rapa but we've given him a week on the water-walker and he had his first serious piece of work this morning and his work was excellent," Busuttin said.
"We're very happy with him. We know absolutely that it's a massive ask to turn the form around but the horse is good enough to win on his best form. Whether he's at that point or not, we'll find out on Derby day."
Busuttin and Young have also confirmed a Derby start for Savabeel gelding Predator, who finished seventh in last Saturday's Avondale Guineas under Jonathan Riddell, who retains the ride for the March 5 classic.
A decision on whether Animator joins the pair will be made next week. - NZ Racing Desk.