Noel Callow aboard Black Jag
Darryl Sherer
Globetrotting jockey Noel Callow intends on crowning his trip to Ellerslie this weekend with success in the Gr.1 BMW New Zealand Derby.
The 41-year-old Melbourne jockey, ubiquitously known as 'King' Callow, heads to Ellerslie to ride the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Tavago in the 2400m three-year-old classic.
Tavistock gelding Tavago assumed New Zealand Derby favouritism after a fast-finishing and luckless third behind Raghu in the Karaka 3YO Mile at Ellerslie in late January, but he blotted his copybook when he finished last in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa last month.
However, Busuttin and Young have elected to press ahead with Derby plans for Tavago, who had beaten home current favourite Rangipo when winning the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki in November and chose Callow as a suitable partner for the bay gelding.
"He was unlucky when he ran third at Ellerslie that day when Blake Shinn rode him and apparently he jarred up last time when he ran well below his best," Callow said.
"If he runs up to his previous form, he looks like a winning hope. He's a three-year-old who possesses genuine speed."
Callow, who has ridden in Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, Mauritius and Malaysia, is making his third trip to New Zealand, having previously ridden Danbird into fourth place in the Gr.1 Bayer Classic at Otaki in 2003 and finished eighth on Dragon Lair in the 2014 Karaka Million at Ellerslie, winning aboard the Richard Collett and Gareth McRae-trained Simbaah on the undercard that evening.
"I'm really looking forward to getting back there and riding. Tavago looks a good chance in the Derby and I've picked up some nice rides for the rest of the programme," Callow said.
Callow's other rides in Saturday's Group races are aboard the Roger James-trained Cool Tart in the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m), Whosyourmaster for Matamata trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott in the Gr.3 Darley Plate (1200m) and the Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Esbeedee in the Gr.3 Stella Artois Mr Tiz Trophy (1200m).
He also rides the Andrew Campbell-trained last-start winner Francome in the 1600m special conditions maiden and the Patsy Riley-trained Knight Court in the Rating 65 1400m event. - NZ Racing Desk.
The 41-year-old Melbourne jockey, ubiquitously known as 'King' Callow, heads to Ellerslie to ride the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Tavago in the 2400m three-year-old classic.
Tavistock gelding Tavago assumed New Zealand Derby favouritism after a fast-finishing and luckless third behind Raghu in the Karaka 3YO Mile at Ellerslie in late January, but he blotted his copybook when he finished last in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa last month.
However, Busuttin and Young have elected to press ahead with Derby plans for Tavago, who had beaten home current favourite Rangipo when winning the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki in November and chose Callow as a suitable partner for the bay gelding.
"He was unlucky when he ran third at Ellerslie that day when Blake Shinn rode him and apparently he jarred up last time when he ran well below his best," Callow said.
"If he runs up to his previous form, he looks like a winning hope. He's a three-year-old who possesses genuine speed."
Callow, who has ridden in Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, Mauritius and Malaysia, is making his third trip to New Zealand, having previously ridden Danbird into fourth place in the Gr.1 Bayer Classic at Otaki in 2003 and finished eighth on Dragon Lair in the 2014 Karaka Million at Ellerslie, winning aboard the Richard Collett and Gareth McRae-trained Simbaah on the undercard that evening.
"I'm really looking forward to getting back there and riding. Tavago looks a good chance in the Derby and I've picked up some nice rides for the rest of the programme," Callow said.
Callow's other rides in Saturday's Group races are aboard the Roger James-trained Cool Tart in the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m), Whosyourmaster for Matamata trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott in the Gr.3 Darley Plate (1200m) and the Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Esbeedee in the Gr.3 Stella Artois Mr Tiz Trophy (1200m).
He also rides the Andrew Campbell-trained last-start winner Francome in the 1600m special conditions maiden and the Patsy Riley-trained Knight Court in the Rating 65 1400m event. - NZ Racing Desk.