Jack ready to add to a big week

YOUNG Hunter Valley reinsman Jack Callaghan has had a most fortuitous start to his career . . . and at just 18 has done more than most teenagers in harness racing could ever dream of.

Being born to a father that was a huge talent himself from an early age, Jack is the son of Mark Callaghan who, back in the era of racing at Harold Park, was a much sort-after reinsman.

Yet right from when Jack first took out his driver’s license, Mark was happy to take a back seat and allow Jack the opportunities that quickly propelled him into the spotlight, particularly at Newcastle, where he became a well-known figure.

And while he is most grateful to his parents for providing the platform for him to carve his career, Jack felt that if he was going to make it at the top level, he needed to gain experience and exposure in Sydney.

Once again, fortune came his way when the state’s leading enterprise of Craig Cross and the McCarthy family often invited him to stay with them to gain valuable experience at their Cobbitty property.

That was prior to the Covid-19 pandemic which curtailed those opportunities for Jack, who was suddenly restricted to driving at Newcastle and Tamworth.

The Corona virus situation forced Callaghan to make a bold decision in June when he chose to leave home and join the powerhouse Craig Cross stable, which could prove to be a case of perfect timing with the recent departure of Todd McCarthy.

“I have had a great season and hope to end it on a winning note this afternoon,” said Jack.

“I have driven 48 winners and almost 100 placings, so I am pretty satisfied with that.

“Winning my first Group 1 for Clayton Harmey aboard Kanye Crusader in the Hunter Regional Final was no doubt a great thrill for me.

“Of course I hope that it is the first of many, but I am not getting ahead of myself.

“I am just finding my feet and hope that more opportunities come my way now that I am in Sydney.”

Fresh from landing his first metropolitan winner when successful with Motu Gatecrasher at Menangle on Saturday night, Callaghan now fronts up with four  handy drives at Tabcorp Park Menangle today.

“Franco Hampton (Race 1) is my best chance of winning,” said the young reinsman.

“He got home well in his two starts for us and with the right run, I feel he can open his account here in Sydney.”

• MICHAEL DUMESNY