STAR KIWI AUSSIE BOUND

Group 1 trainer Danny O’Brien has confirmed star New Zealand galloper Callsign Mav will be joining the stable after a tilt at the $5m Cox Plate.

John Barry-trained Callsign Mav, who defended his Group 1 Tarzino Trophy crown last start, will run in New Zealand for the last time in Saturday’s Windsor Park Plate at Hastings.

Callsign Mav, a $1.85 favourite with TAB for the 1600m feature, must run well on Saturday to finalise the move to Melbourne.

O’Brien will act as caretaker for the five-year-old son of Atlante for the Cox Plate, who has won six of 18 career starts and is rated a $34 chance with the TAB for the big race at The Valley.

He was beaten half a length third behind Melody Belle in the Windsor Park Plate last year.

Callsign Mav will be transferred to O’Brien officially after the spring and race in Australia.

Story by Gilbert Gardiner for Herald Sun Racing

Pic courtesy of Racing And Sports