Callow turns back the clock in 2025 Queensland Guineas

Noel Callow seized a rare opportunity to land his first Group 2 win in eight years when Depth Of Character stormed home in the $350,000 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, kicking off a double celebration for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald.

Callow, filling in for suspended rider James McDonald, guided the $7 chance to a commanding 2-1/4 length victory, with Churchill’s Choice ($9) finishing second and Beau Dazzler ($26) third.

“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 produced a patient ride, settling midfield before allowing Depth Of Character to accelerate past his rivals down the straight. It was the 49-year-old’s first Group-level triumph since 2017 and a result that clearly meant a lot.

“I just had to count to 10 and 15 and then let him rip away,” he added.

The Archibalds weren’t done yet—just 40 minutes later, their $81 outsider Libertad delivered a shock win in the $300,000 Victory Stakes (1200m), holding off Jedibeel ($6) by a short-half-head. Golden Mile ($41) finished 1-3/4 lengths further back in third, handing the bookies a major result.

Jamie Mott, who rode Libertad, added another feature win to his growing résumé and praised the colt’s toughness to cling on late after a wide trip.