Partnership crosses provincial boundaries

OTAGO’S newest thoroughbred trainer, Lee Callaway, is training winners for the province without even living here.

The senior South Island rider has already struck success just days after entering into a training partnership with Central Otago horsewoman Nikki White.

The training partners have combined so that Callaway runs stables at Rangiora and White trains their Omakau team.

It is hoped their dualprovincial operation can place their horses to win races up and down the South Island.

‘‘Nikki has got half a dozen down at Omakau and I have got six up here at Rangiora,’’ Callaway said.

‘‘We will sort of alternate them a wee bit. I will get them up and to the barriers and when there is racing down there I will send them down here and Nikki will send some up here.’’

White previously trained in partnership with her husband, Michael, before joining Callaway in their new venture earlier this season.

Callaway had started 11 hor ses at the races prior to joining her and is a relative newcomer to the training ranks.

He had won 210 races during his 16year career in the saddle.

Callaway does not expect his new venture to have much of an effect on his riding career.

‘‘My riding is on and off a little bit, but if I still get rides I will still carry on riding.’’

The WhiteCallaway partnership got off to a brilliant start just days into the new season when Luvabattle won at Oamaru last month.

Callaway was quick to hand all of the praise for that win off to White.

‘‘Nikki was training her up beforehand and I just came in at the right time,’’ Callaway said.

Luvabattle is entered to race at Wingatui tomorrow with Canterbury apprentice Kin Kwo booked to ride.

Kwo has recently returned to the saddle after sustaining a broken jaw in a trackwork incident in July.

White and Callaway will also start Little Bossing at Wingatui.

The gelding will be ridden by Corey Campbell.

❛ Nikki has got half a dozen down at Omakau and I have got six up

here at Rangiora