Hong Kong Racing Tips: Callan can complete Excellent hat-trick
MOST local racing fans are going to miss jockey Neil Callan when the Irishman waves goodbye to Hong Kong and returns to the UK following the season’s ending in over a fortnight’s time.
Callan’s Asian odyssey started ten years ago and, in that time, the 42-year-old has built up a huge fan base with his no-nonsense style of riding and rolling his sleeves up before races.
Nicknamed ‘The Iron Man’ by both media and racing enthusiasts, Callan has been aboard numerous big-race winners, including Blazing Speed, who blitzed his rivals in the Group One QEII Cup back in 2015.
Callan will be desperate to add to his seasonal tally of 23 wins before the season closes – note his scream of delight when partnering Ima Single Man to victory at Sha Tin on Sunday – and is booked for half-a-dozen rides on the Sha Tin programme.
His best chance of success looks to be when reunited with EXCELLENT CHARIOT who carries top-weight in the Continuous Development Handicap (8.00am).
Callan has only ridden the Ricky You-trained galloper twice this season, winning on both occasions.
A step up in class subsequently proved too much for the four-year-old in recent times, despite several creditable performances, but he now finds himself down in grade again and rated only 2lb above his last win.
Importantly his body weight is similar to when he won last September and, with an inside draw a bonus, expect Callan to be celebrating again.
POINTERS
Excellent Chariot 8.00am Sha Tin