Callow’s exciting homecoming
Noel Callow's trip back for Australian Guineas Day was made worthwhile when he won meeting's opening event, the $120,000 Listed Festival Of Racing 1000, aboard Excitable Boy.
Callow is back in Victoria after a successful four-week stint in Malaysia, where he rode 11 winners from 25 rides, to ride Subiaso in the Guineas and made the most of his only other ride for the day.
He brought the Danny O'Brien-trained colt with a well-time run to reel in the well-performed Mount Zero, leaving O'Brien happy that he snapped up Callow's services.
“He's never around,” O'Brien said when asked how often he uses Callow. “He comes over and rides a couple of winners for me and then I can't find him for three months. But I'm more than happy to have him on.”
Excitable Boy atoned for a luckless effort in the Talindert Stakes, when he finished second last but was in trouble for much of the 1100m, with his strong win.
The son of More Than Ready, who was backed from $9 to start $7, appreciated being given galloping room and unwound an impressive finishing burst to reel in Mount Zero ($3.60), who looked the winner at the 250m, and score by 1-1/4 lengths. Sanosuke ($18) was 1-3/4 lengths away third.
O'Brien said great to see him break through for his first win at his fourth trip to the races.
“Nothing went right the other day,” O'Brien said of the Talindert. “He got into trouble the whole race.
“Noel kept him out of trouble today, though, and it was good to see him let down like a nice horse inside the final furlong.
“It will be a real confidence booster for him today, to come to the races and get it done. I think he has a really bright future.”
Excitable Boy's win kicked off a brilliant start to the day for O'Brien, who also won the second event with Keep Cool.
The High Chaparral six-year-old made it three wins from his past four starts when Craig Williams guided him to a comfortable win.
Story by Brad Bishop, to view full Racing Victoria story click here
Photo by Bruno Cannatelli, to view Bruno's wesbite click here