Kemp sees big city future for Callow

By Jordan Gerrans

Veteran Toowoomba mentor Kevin Kemp has backed apprentice Stacey Callow to make a consistent impact on city racing in the back end of 2026 as she heads to Doomben with two chances on Wednesday.

The lightweight rider will partner Stabilizer for Brett Baker in the Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 1 Handicap over 1200 metres before her master, Kemp, will leg her aboard Go Maro in the Class 2 Handicap, which will be contested over 1650 metres.

Callow boasts a three-kilogram allowance at metropolitan meetings, which Clifford Park conditioner Kemp believes is crucial.

“She's heading along nicely,” Kemp said of his apprentice’s development.

“She's very strong in the straight. She's really good. She's a good little kid.

“She's a great little trackwork rider. She's really good in a race. If you tell her what to do, she'll try and do it to 100%.

“She's heading the right way.”

Before relocating to Queensland a few years ago, Callow registered city winners in the Northern Territory and in South Australia.

She has one metropolitan victory to her name in the Sunshine State, which came aboard Super Duck in wet conditions at Doomben in late July of last year.

The Michael Hemmings-prepared Super Duck relished the Heavy 8 conditions to lead all the way under the riding of Callow and her claim.

On Wednesday at Doomben, Stabilizer has drawn beautifully in one for Callow as the gelding will be looking to win for the first time since scoring at Ipswich in December of last year.

Stabilizer was first emergency for the Class 1 Handicap for the boys, before a scratching on Tuesday handed him a start.

The 24-year-old Callow has ridden Go Maro in a race twice in the gelding’s 14-start career and she will be chasing her maiden victory on the son of Better Than Ready.

With a riding weight listed of just 49kg, Kemp believes Callow’s frame will be important as she transitions into being a senior jockey in the future. 

“She's very light,” Kemp said.

“She doesn't have to starve herself like some of the other jockeys do. But, she's heading the right way. 

"She's got a great little attitude.

“She's not frightened of a bit of work. She'll be right.”

Callow has 13 winners to her name this term with her most recent coming at Toowoomba late last month aboard Sir Memphis for her boss.

Kemp will also start Pink Vixen at Doomben on Wednesday in the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 2060 metres.

Pink Vixen was an emergency for Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks, but couldn’t sneak into the final field.