Noel Callow returned to the Group 2 winner’s circle for the first time in eight years with a commanding ride aboard Depth Of Character in the $350,000 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The win marked a milestone for the 49-year-old, who hadn’t tasted success at that level since 2017, and it kicked off a huge day for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald, who later scored a shock win with Libertad in the $300,000 Victory Stakes (1200m).
Callow took full advantage of a golden opportunity, with James McDonald serving a suspension and Ryan Maloney opting for another ride, allowing him to secure the mount on the $7 chance who stormed to a 2-1/4 length victory.
“I was just trying to enjoy my life, but ‘the game’ said to me, ‘we’re not going to put you on if you’re going to enjoy your life’, so I’ve been doing the hard yards,” Callow said.
“I was lucky that ‘J-Mac’ got rubbed out in Hong Kong and Pug took another ride, I was the last one standing and got the cash.”
Callow timed his move perfectly, allowing Depth Of Character to ease to the front in the straight before kicking clear to defeat Churchill’s Choice ($9) and Beau Dazzler ($26).
“I just had to count to 10 and 15 and then let him rip away,” Callow added.
Jamie Mott capped the day with a narrow win aboard $81 outsider Libertad, holding off a fast-finishing Jedibeel ($6) by a short-half-head. Golden Mile ($41) rounded out the placings, 1-3/4 lengths behind.