Mario’s journey began years ago in Malta

Kyneton horseman Mario Callus’s love affair with horses dates back to when he was an eight-year-old driving his grandfather around in a jinker in Malta.

“He had the horse to work up his paddocks, but at weekends we’d drive over to his mum and dads place, who were my great grandparents, of course,” Mario recalled

“It was a really good cart with a big bench seat, and I was only about six. As soon as we got around the corner, out of the view of my parents, he would hand me the reins and he would be drinking wine and fall asleep,” he laughed.

“So I always thought I was driving the horse, but I guess I know now that the horse actually knew the way so I wasn’t doing a great deal!

“It was a bit of a ritual, but my grandfather was very particular when it came to washing the harness and cart for our weekend trips – that would always happen before we left.”

After the family settled in Australia, a teenage Callus become acquainted with the late Kevin “Boofa” Innes who was at Kensington, just a few kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.

“I would have been 13 when I became a stablehand in the ’60s for Kevin. I’d muck out the boxes and do other jobs-that was what really instilled a love of animals into me from an early age,” he said.

Callus bobbed up with a 25/1 “bolter” at Melton last Friday night when Skyrita (Skyvalley-Countess Margareta (Sundon USA) took out the Allied Express Maiden Trot.

“I bought her off a friend Joe Attard, who wanted to get out of her. I sent her off to the paddock in spring for six weeks and then got her back in again,” Callus said.

“I’ve been happy with her trackwork at home because the times she’s been running have been good and I took her to the Bendigo trials and was pleased with her run there.

“I don’t bet, but I told my son, one of my brothers and some friends that if a couple of things went her way at the races, she mightn’t be far off. She paid $23 on the tote, so it was great that they all won a bit. My driver Josh Duggan handled her perfectly.”

Callus is best-known for his success with pacer Tenfour. The gelding was Callus’s last winner in 2018 (although he’s had only a handful of starters since Tenfour retired) before his first-up training success with Skyrita.

“Tenfour (a winner of eight races) was one of my favorites. He was sired by Four Starzzz Shark and was a bit quirky on occasions. He did a good job to win at Yarra Valley at his last win – I think he paid $86!

“I love horses and I love harness racing. I’ve been in it a long, long time and during my time in the sport I had a great association with former horseman Max Wishart who taught me a lot of things, most importantly how to feed. I’ve picked up other things over the years from different people.

“I won nine or 10 races with a horse called Drifter with Max. It was pretty handy, and one season took out the Horse Of The Year award at Wangaratta. There was another one in Tough Decision that we had a lot of fun with.”

The animal-loving Callus has about 50 head of sheep at his Kyneton property, as well as breeding rabbits for the table. He said he has all the horse training amenities he needs including an 800-metre track, but is currently working only Skyrita.

“Getting a winner is great! But it’s not all about the money it’s about the horses. I just love taking them to the races and being part of it,” he said.

“I’ve got another horse out spelling and it’s probably time I brought her back in and gave her another prep.”

Callus said his Aunty Theresa Berloven accompanied him to the Melton meeting with Skyrita.

“She had never been to the trots before, but she was on cloud nine with the win. She said it was one of the best nights she’d had. I’m thinking aunty will be a regular from now on!”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink