Trainer Steven Burridge paid last season’s leading jockey Noel Callow a huge compliment following his victory aboard Trigger Express in the $125,000 Open Class Stakes over 1800 metres on Friday night.

“That’s six rides he’s had for me for five wins,” Burridge said. “He proves it time and again. He’s such a good rider.

“I’ve had a lot of luck with the bloke.”

Having his first run in nine weeks, Callow bought Trigger Express up along the fence to defeat Worth The Wait (John Sundradas) by two lengths with Mr Line (Barend Vorster) a length-and-a-quarter away third.

Noel Callow guides Trigger Express to a comfortable victory in Race 6.

Both Burridge and Callow thought there would be a lack of pace in the 1800 metre contest and the intention was to snag back from the outside draw and not cover any ground.

But to the surprise of the pair the speed was on from the outside with Raul (Danny Beasley) leading from Mexborough Ladd (Ronnie Stewart) and Worth The Wait. That trio held sway to the turn with Callow back in last place on Trigger Express.

“I didn’t think he could win,” Burridge said. “I thought there would be no pace on in the race, but they went mad up front and they played into his hands.”

Callow said he wasn’t concerned when it appeared Trigger Express had been left flat-footed when the sprint went on nearing the hometurn.

“I was mindful that he hadn’t raced for nine weeks so I didn’t want to use him up too early,” Callow said. “I wanted to save as much ground as I could so I had to ride him for luck.”

Trigger Express is a six-year-old Australian-bred son of Citidancer from the Chanteclair mare Rich Resource and has recorded eight wins from 44 starts with prizemoney in excess of $630,000.

Copyright 2006 Singapore Turf Club