Callan Murray (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
SA and Zimbabwe’s dual Champion Apprentice, Callan Murray has made a flying start to his working holiday in Australia, placing at his first two riding engagements and giving himself and host Lindsay Park Stables an early Christmas present with two wins at his next two meetings at Mornington and Sandown-Hillside.
After jetting off on 7 December, Callan landed running, posting a solid 0.7 length 4th on his first Australian ride aboard Wicked Sensation at Park Kilmore country course on Monday, 12 December. At his second engagement at Flemington on Saturday, 17 December Callan rode two places from two rides, finishing 5th aboard French Skyline in the 1100m Christmas Season Plate and following up with a short head second aboard La Speciale in the second race on the day’s card.
His first Aussie win came from his only carded ride aboard Strictly Legit in the 1000m Bayside Auto Group Maiden Plate at Mornington on Tuesday, 20 December. He followed up with his first Metro win at Sandown-Hillside, aboard Sheikh Hamdan’s Barjeel on Wednesday, 21 December to keep the SA flag flying high Downunder.
Asked how he is enjoying his Australian stint so far, Callan reported, “It’s surreal. I still can’t quite believe I’m here, but it’s all kicked off really well. After that 4th and close second, even though it was only my first two rides, I felt like it was taking forever, and it’s so nice that I’ve finally got on the boards. I couldn’t have asked for things to go any better.”
Callan’s friendly and likeable approach has also seen him winning over the local media who have shown great interest in his progress. You can watch today’s winning interview here.
Callan partners Murphy’s Reward at Kyneton on Friday and Golden Mane at Sandown-Hillside again on Saturday before taking a quick Christmas break.
