Callow off to a flyer
for double delight
Confucious Flyer fought off a thunderstorm and a 30-minute race delay to outclass his rivals to win the Sportsbet Get On Extra Maiden Plate (1050m) on Cox Plate Day at Morphettville.
The four-year-old gelding was the shortest favourite trainer Stuart Gower has ever had, and then he had to wait after the runners were recalled from the barriers just before start time.
After 30 minutes, Confucious Flyer was dominant, taking the lead with jockey Noel Callow on board, cruising to a near four-length success.
“They made us wait a bit longer, but it was a nice win,” Gower, who trains at Morphettville, said.
“He’s still learning, but all they have to do is win.”
Gower said Confucious Flyer took the weather delay “in his stride” and he is set to give the gelding one last run before a break before an Autumn tilt.
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Callow is also keen to maintain his ride aboard the four-year-old, who was a $10,000 yearling purchase.
“He’s the best horse I’ve ridden since I’ve been in South Australia. I’ve only been (back) here for three months, but he was pretty impressive,” Callow said.
“I said to Stuey ‘you’ve got a nice horse on your hands’. I wanted to ride him first-up, and he got beat, I said, ‘beautiful, I’ll have that’.
“I had to gallop him 10 days ago and he was pretty laid back. I was thinking, ‘I hope you’re like me, not much good at trackwork and alright race day’ – and he was.”
Callow was in top form on Saturday, claiming the first two events on the card, following up with victory on Trebilco in the Greenway Turf Solutions Handicap (1200m) for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, the first of a winning double for the Group 1-winning training trio.
Jockey Todd Pannell steered Prince Magnetite to victory in the Ule Hoof Oil Handicap (1500m) two races later.
Canny Miss showed class in an almost three-length win in the Peter Elberg Funerals Handicap (1200m) for jockey Connor Murtagh.
Placo led from start to finish under Teagan Voorham to hold off the fast-finishing Talisay to claim the Kirin Ichiban Handicap (2000m).
