King Callow set for extended Queensland stay

By Jordan Gerrans

Group 1 winning jockey Noel Callow is set for the first extended Queensland stay of his riding career, starting Thursday evening at Clifford Park.

The quirky Callow has been a regular visitor to the Magic Millions carnival over the years, as well as riding horses for his close mate Tom Hedley across the north Queensland Cup carnival series’.

The 46-year-old has just started an extended working on the Gold Coast with his wife and is likely to remain for a couple of months.

The five-time Group 1 winner rode trials on the Gold Coast on Tuesday morning and will make the trip to Toowoomba for one ride on Thursday night.

“It is almost winter at home, why not?,” Callow fired back when asked why he was walking on a Gold Coast beach on Tuesday morning.

“I am 46 years old, the kids are older, why not come up and have a go.”

The colourful Callow has been riding work for Gillian Heinrich and Les Kelly and will base himself on the Glitter Strip for most Saturday afternoons.

“I just want to ride on the Coast on Saturdays, I will not be coming to Eagle Farm or Doomben on the Saturdays,” he said.

“If there are mid-weeks at those tracks or elsewhere, I am happy to go to town, but I am happy to just do the Gold Coast on a Saturday.

“I have told everyone that I am happy just to fill in the gaps and I am focussed on the Coast on Saturday, build a base here and ride at a weight I am comfortable with.”

Callow kicks off his Queensland sojourn with Master Baylee in a Benchmark 62 Handicap (1000m) for Deagon trainer Jason Edwards.

Master Baylee is first-up from a break and will come from the inside alley.

He also has six bookings for Saturday at Aquis Park, with two for Heinrich and one for Kelly.

“I need to start off somewhere and then I will head to the Gold Coast on Saturday,” Callow said.

“I will do my best to get a few winners.

“I have not got many good horses back home that I am committed to, so I thought why not come up.”

Callow’s daughter Stacey is working towards following in her father's footsteps and becoming a jockey, likely to make her race riding debut in the near future.