Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) will have to rise to a new level to be competitive in Saturday’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley, but his regular New Zealand rider isn’t counting out the star of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.
Callsign Mav successfully defended his Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) title at Hastings before claiming the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) in the hands of Jonathan Riddell for trainer John Bary.
“I’m quite excited for the horse and I’m sure he won’t disgrace himself. The owners want to have a go and good on them,” Riddell said.
Riddell has ridden Callsign Mav on 10 occasions and was aboard in all three of the gelding’s top-flight victories as well as an open handicap success, three Group One placings and a further two at Group Two level.
Callsign Mav will be taking on a star-studded line-up, including glamour three-year-old Anamoe (Street Boss), elite weight-for-age winners Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux), Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) and Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and internationals Gold Trip (Outstrip) and State Of Rest (Starspangledbanner), but Riddell is staying on side.
“I’ll be really interested to see how he goes and if he’s good enough for them, it wouldn’t surprise me if he is,” he said.
Luke Nolen will ride Callsign Mav, who has drawn barrier 5.
