Callow returns to saddle
COLOURFUL jockey Noel Callow is back in the saddle on Thursday for the first time since being rubbed out in November.
The Group 1-winning hoop heads to Gatton on Thursday for only the second time in his career and has been riding trackwork in the last two weeks to get fit for race riding.
“They gave me two weeks to get fit,” Callow said.
“I had to write a sob letter hoping I could ride trackwork before I started, which is normally a disqualification when you’re rubbed out like that.”
Callow was suspended for three months and fined $4500 on betting-related charges that happened in 2013 when he was based in Victoria but worked as a mower man at the Gold Coast track in his time off.
“It was an incident that happened nine years ago and someone in power at Racing Victoria used their jealousy and power to get me,” Callow said.
“Unfortunately when you’re on a monopoly board and it’s not a court of law they take your licence off you.”
Callow has been booked for two rides at Gatton on Thursday before heading to the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Former Jean Duboistrained gelding Zadig is his first in race five before combining with Mark Currie in the last aboard Jerinomos.
“I’ve been to Gatton once and I’m only going there to say ‘stuff you I’m back’ otherwise I’d just go to the Gold Coast on Saturday,” Callow said.
“But anyway we’ll go there and have a couple of rides and see what we can do.
“I’ll definitely benefit from the run ... and I’ll have a crack and see how we go.
“I’ve got a few rides over a distance on the Gold Coast polytrack and I don’t think you’ll be seeing the best of N.Callow but give me another week and I’ll be right.”