Top jocks shape up for title

By Brad Kingsbury
IT is Cranbourne versus Berwick in this year’s battle for supremacy in the Melbourne metropolitan jockeys’ premiership that ends on 1 August.
Cranbourne born-and-bred hoop Craig Williams, son of well-known trainer Alan, holds a seven-and-a-half win lead over Berwick-based rival Noel Callow, who has had a stellar season despite having significantly fewer opportunities due to his weight.
Before yesterday’s meeting at Sandown, Callow, who rides at around 55 kilograms, had booted home 58.5 winners from 284 rides at an outstanding strike rate of 20.5 percent (five percent better than any other jockey), while Williams had saluted 66 times from 464 rides at just over 14 percent.
Williams does not have the weight issues of Callow and rides comfortably at 53 kilograms.
The pair have known each other since their days as teenaged apprentices in the Gippsland area, although their paths to the top of their trade have been different.
Williams, 29, worked his way up to be a well-regarded young jockey in the Metropolitan ranks before making a huge move and travelling to Asia to ride in 1998 and staying there for six years, predominantly in Hong Kong, before returning home in 2005.
He has since become one of the most sought-after jockeys in the country and has a close relationship with the dominant David Hayes stable.
Callow started his riding in Adelaide but moved to Melbourne as an apprentice and finishing his time with Cranbourne trainer and good friend Robbie Laing.
Despite his prodigious talent, weight became an issue as a 20-year-old and he spent a two-year period drifting between jobs, before deciding to make race riding his career and becoming the state’s leading country jockey for several seasons.
Callow, now 31, also had several short stints riding in Asia and has graduated to become a top-rated city rider over the past three years, with a reputation as a big-race specialist. He is the equal leading Group-race winner for the current season on 12, with star Sydney hoop Darren Beadman.
Callow knows that his chances of catching Williams are remote, but he said he was happy with his season and had made a conscious effort to maintain his form and fitness, while giving his body regular breaks from wasting.
He is now looking towards more success at this year’s rich Melbourne Spring Carnival.
“I was looking to get a contract in Hong Kong, but missed out so the Spring is the main aim now,” he said.
“It’s been a good season. I’m happy with the way it’s gone, but Craig’s a bit too far ahead now, I think.”
Williams travelled to England and rode in the famous Royal Ascot carnival several weeks ago and stopped off for a holiday in the Greek Islands on the way back, but altered his schedule and returned to defend his lead after Callow kicked home several winners in his absence and reduced his lead in the premiership race.
Williams finished fourth and fifth in the Melbourne premiership in the two seasons prior to travelling to Asia and is one of the most sought-after jockeys by trainers, given his attention to detail and professionalism.
He said it was a thrill to be in competition with Callow, who he knew well.
“We’re rivals on the track but friends off it and get on very well,” he said.
“I’ve known Noel for a long time now and competed with him since before I went overseas.
“We caught up with each other a few times when he was riding in Macau. He’s done a great job and has really become one of the best jockeys around over the last few years.
“If I’m fortunate enough to win it, it will be down to a lot of work, but it would be a great thrill.”