3 minute read

After spending the last three months riding overseas, international jockey Noel Callow finally gets his name back on an Australian racecard when he takes his first rides at the Cranbourne night race meeting on 1 December.

A respected jockey back home in spite of his preference for the quieter Victorian country circuit, Callow however morphs into a superstar whenever he travels to South-East Asia, where he is even accorded blue-blooded status as his nickname “King” Callow suggests.

The popular hoop has enjoyed yet another prolific short-term gig (eight wins from 18 rides) in Kuala Lumpur last August, but in a bid to conquer new hunting grounds, Callow ventured further down South last September - and came away with the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius as a new addition to his kingdom.

The racing-mad country is not entirely uncharted waters for Callow, though, as he did capture their annual International Jockeys’ Weekend in 2007 at his very first visit there, claiming the scalps of big names such as Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Weichong Marwing among others.

Callow had not returned to Mauritius until a call-up from leading trainer Soun Gujadhur late August lured him back to the tropical island. Unlike the IJW hit-and-run visit, which was more of a no-pressure busman’s holiday, the task was more daunting this time, but challenging enough for the fearless jockey not to shirk at – help his new employers win the trainer’s championship.

Daunting because the Gujadhurs, Mauritius’ oldest racing yard, had all along made no secret about the Holy Grail they were chasing in the year of the Mauritius Turf Club’s 200th Anniversary – the Trainer’s Premiership title which they last captured in 1976.

Throw in the fact they had just sacked two-time Mauritius champion jockey Robbie Burke and their win count was heading south at the time, another jockey might have thought twice, but not Callow. Not one to apply undue pressure upon himself, he just packed his bags to Mauritius with one objective in mind – do what he does best, which is to ride winners.

Callow did just that, bagging 14 wins from 64 rides in 11 meetings, a right royal performance from the “King” who turned kingmaker for the occasion.

The big haul of wins catapulted his stable from third spot to top of the heap at the fourth-last meeting on 28 October. With total stakes earnings of 15.3 million Mauritian Rupees (A$460,000) and an unassailable lead of more than MUR1.5 million on the second-best, Gilbert Rousset with only one meeting left this Saturday, it is already mission accomplished for Team Gujadhur-Callow.

Before he boards a Melbourne-bound flight next Tuesday, Callow would still love to leave on a winning note, even if he has only three rides at the tight Moonee Valley-esque track of Champ de Mars on Saturday, with Snappy - his first winning ride - his main chance.

“It was great coming back to Mauritius and winning the championship for Soun and his family. They are fantastic people to ride for and I’m glad I played a part in helping them reach their main goal this year,” said Callow at trackwork on Friday morning.

“I had very fond memories of my last visit here and always wanted to come back, but I was committed either back home or in Malaysia. Soun’s offer came at the right moment this time and I came here straight from KL.

“The Mauritians are really passionate about their racing. I’ve never seen the crowd get as close to the rails as they do here and they really cheer for the winners in every race.

“It’s a good lifestyle for jockeys here as they race only on Saturdays. Ronnie Stewart rode here as well, but he’s already gone back home to take up a new contract in Newcastle.

“I myself get back in Melbourne on Wednesday and I’ve already asked my agent to book rides for me. I could have ridden at Moonee Valley on Friday, but decided to give myself another day to freshen up and will make my comeback at Cranbourne on Saturday.”

Callow could have extended his stay by another week to ride at this year’s traditional finale, the IJW 2012 on December 1 and 2, but he turned down the offer from the MTC to form part of Team Southern Hemisphere, which will comprise Hugh Bowman for Australia, and this year’s Mauritius champion jockey, Johnny Geroudis from South Africa.

“I would have loved to have another go at the title I won in 2007, but unfortunately I have already made plans to go home,” he said.

“I haven’t seen my wife Renee and the kids for four months. She could not get time off from her work to come over for that day.

“I’d like to thank the MTC for their invitation and I also take this opportunity to thank them and the Chairman Mr Gilbert Merven for their help and support during my stay here.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be going back for another season next year as I can’t stay for one whole season, but I would definitely love to ride there again.”