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Melbourne jockey Aaron Spiteri has
relinquished his visiting jockey’s licence with the Singapore Turf Club with
immediately effect, citing personal reasons.
The 28-year-old has completed just over a month of his six-month permit for
the year, during which time he struck up a formidable partnership with
Laurie Laxon who provided with eight of his 10 wins.
“It was a hard decision to make but my personal life is just as important as
my career, if not more, I spoke with my girlfriend Tessa and we thought it
was high time for me to head back home,” Spiteri told the press.
Spiteri rode 15 winners in
Singapore in 2005 and 39 winners last year.
He also made two successful visits to Penang to land the Governor Gold Cup
on LIGHT OF SUCCESS for trainer Len Treloar in 2005 and EXPUNGE for Laxon
last December.
Meanwhile, jockey Noel Callow hardly had time to settle back in Melbourne
after completing a two-month stint in Singapore on Feb 28 and he is on the
way back to island republic.
Callow, 32, has been granted a six-month extension to his visiting jockey’s
permit, no doubt to fill the gap left by the sudden departure of Spiteri.
Callow, who boasts a Victoria Derby, Caulfield Guineas and Australian
Guineas (all Group 1) to his name, chalked up 12 wins in 58 rides during the
first two months he was here, including a win astride ROYAL SMILE in the
Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint.
Well-liked for his vigour in the saddle as well as his outgoing personality,
Callow goes to scale at 54.5kgs and is licensed to ride from March 3 to
August 31.  |
