Callaghan seeking first Newmarket win
Wednesday 14th May, 2008
Simon Callaghan - nine winners and counting
SIMON CALLAGHAN will be hoping to further boost his blossoming training career when he saddles two runners in the opening card of a three-day meeting, which starts on The NatWest Rowley Mile tomorrow evening.
Callaghan took over the licence from his recently-retired father Neville at Rathmoy Stables in the middle of January and hasn’t looked back, with nine winners on the board to date.
He is now preparing to bid for a first ever winner at his local track with either Gaspar Van Wittel in the Waggon And Horses Conditions Stakes or Elusive Ronnie, who will be making an appearance in the opening race on the card, the Elms Cambridge Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
Gaspar Van Wittel, named after the Dutch painter, has run twice for Callaghan this season, and finished runner-up in both the Listed Easter Stakes at Kempton and a conditions event at Doncaster 12 days ago.
His young trainer said: ““His second in the Easter Stakes is very solid form and he’s certainly proved he’s progressed from two to three. This is a race he has a very good chance in.”
Elusive Ronnie is one of only two in the eight-strong field to have had a previous run, having made his debut at Kempton ten days ago.
“He’s a nice little horse,” said Callaghan. “He’s probably more of a nursery horse than a Newmarket maiden horse but we’ll see how he gets on.”
Tomorrow sees the only evening fixture of the year to be held on The NatWest Rowley Mile and racing commences at 5.50pm.