Master cups on Callow radar

By Brad Kingsbury
GROUP 1 winning jockey Noel Callow has catapulted into Caulfield and Melbourne Cup calculations after partnering 2007 Caulfield Cup winner Master O’Reilly to a fast-finishing third place in Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
The slashing run over the unsuitable 1600-metre course impressed trainer Danny O’Brien and the seven year-old gelding’s owners to the extent that Callow was immediately booked to ride the horse in two key lead-up spring feature races, the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800 metres) at Caulfield on 19 September and the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000 metres) at Flemington on 3 October.
The star stayer is entered and guaranteed a run in both the big spring Cups and the Berwick-based hoop is in line for the rides depending on the results in the lead-up and the availability of regular rider Vlad Duric who is currently riding in Singapore.
“At the weights, Master O’Reilly is probably my only chance to get a ride in the Cups,” said Callow who struggles to ride below 55 kilograms. Saturday’s run was good and I really got a great feel for the horse. He needs the pace on in those shorter races but I nursed him along and he settled well and when he started to wind up we steamed home. The owners were very happy with the performance and so was Danny. I’ll ride him in the two lead-ups and we’ll see what happens from there.”
Callow said he had no problem with the connections loyalty to Nar Nar Goon hoop Duric, who was a good friend, but if he had the opportunity he was keen to partner the horse in the Cups with the aim of improving on its fourth placing in last year’s Melbourne Cup.
The 33 year-old star hoop had a super successful two-year record-breaking stint riding in Singapore between 2006 and 2008, where he was dubbed ‘King Callow’ and became the first jockey to ride 100 winners in a season on his way to winning the local jockeys’ premiership.
Duric has followed his trail this year and has spent the last six months in the Asian racing centre, also achieving good success and riding winners regularly.
“I knew Vlad would do well over there. We’re actually quite similar in style and that’s perfect for the racing in Singapore,” said Callow. “I spoke to him about it before he went over and told him how they race. He’s been pretty smart about it and done well.”
Duric will likely return to Melbourne for the big spring races but if Callow’s form on Master O’Reilly remains hot, he has been told he could retain the ride throughout the rich carnival.
The 2005 Victoria Derby winning hoop has been steadily working on his fitness and form after returning to Melbourne from a short riding stint in Malaysia.
He rode four winners from seven rides in Kuala Lumpur in June before being charged but subsequently cleared of having a banned substance in his system.
Callow will tune up for the coming big-race challenge with a trip to Tasmania this weekend where he has a seven-ride book at Launceston.