Lee Callaway has been involved with The Good Shepherd (NZ) (Power) throughout his career and was thrilled to pick up a first success training the gelding at Oamaru on Sunday.
Based at Waikouaiti, Callaway balances his race riding engagements with training a small team of horses, which as of June this year, includes The Good Shepherd. Formerly trained by his owner Stephen Blair-Edie, the seven-year-old was transferred into Callaway’s care when he stepped away from training, with the pair recording 21 wins as a trainer-jockey combination.
“Steve has been a good friend of mine for a while, he’s given me the opportunity to ride quite a few winners for him over the years,” Callaway said.
“I broke in this horse for him as a yearling, so he turned around recently and asked if I’d like to train the horse for him.
“He’s awesome to have around the stables, he’s lovely to deal with.”
The son of Power had been strong in his first-up effort for Callaway back in June, but since then, had been less effective on heavier surfaces, making Sunday’s Soft 5 an appeal for the open sprint contest.
Jumping from barrier four, Callaway showed plenty of intent early aboard The Good Shepherd and found himself in a comfortable position trailing Miss Harley Quinn, who sat outside of the leader in La Bella Nera. Looming closer on the turn, The Good Shepherd lifted strongly down the home straight and powered clear in the final bounds, finishing 1 ¼ lengths ahead of second-placegetter Street Fightin Man.
Callaway was pleased with the performance, indicating the switch back to a better surface had benefitted his charge.
“He jumped out well, got on the pace and we let one come around us, so we ended up with a nice sit with a bit of cover,” he said.
“As we were turning in for home, I asked him to come off and he found a gear, he’s run home really well.
“I’m not that confident he’s liking heavy tracks at the moment, his first-up run wasn’t really too heavy when he ran second, then from there, he’s been a bit disappointing in them.
“Today, we had a little bit of give in the track and he just seemed to be a better horse for that.”
From 44 starts, The Good Shepherd has won seven races, with a further 11 minor placings and over $150,000 in stakes to his credit.
Callaway acknowledged the challenges of juggling both professions, but finds a significant thrill when being able to steer home his own horses on race-day.
“I’ve always liked the training side of racing and I have five horses in the stables, it’s a great feeling to be able to train and ride them,” he said.
“It does make it a bit difficult at times when you’re away riding and things like that, but I have amazing support from my lovely wife Michaela and my daughter, they help me when I’m away.
“It’s really good to be doing both.”
Earlier in the meeting, Callaway also guided the Nikki White-trained Stop Yelling to score in the Gore Elite Plumbing (1400m).
