Episode 530: Anthony Cavallo

Anthony Cavallo’s year long absence from the western districts riding ranks continues to arouse the curiosity of his many friends and TAB followers. A veteran of almost forty years in the saddle, Cavallo sustained multiple injuries in what appeared to be a simple fall at Wellington. Two fractured vertebrae in the upper back required a spinal fusion and the insertion of a metal plate. That plate is to be removed at the end of June, after which the veteran will determine the course of his future. Enquiries have been numerous about a likely return to the saddle for one of country racing’s most respected jockeys. “Choco” joins the podcast with his own version of events. He expresses his gratitude for the many messages of encouragement he’s received. Anthony says he’d love to keep riding but intends to accept the judge’s decision. He looks back on the Wellington fall and says he had absolutely no warning. The jockey summarises an endless list of injuries. He reflects on many race falls but says none of his injuries have been below the waist. Cavallo looks back on one other nasty spill on the very same racetrack. He looks back on the way in which his apprenticeship was arranged by his father and an uncle. He pays tribute to his master Ray Guy. Anthony speaks freely about the nickname he was given by a co-worker soon after he joined the guy stable. He still gets that nickname from the majority of racing people. Like most jockeys he has vivid recollections of his first winning ride 39 years ago. He looks back on his one and only ride on multiple Gr 1 winner Potrero, the horse he rates the best he’s ridden in a race. Tony hasn’t forgotten a stakes win at Randwick on a 140/1 pop called Reign of Honour. He got to ride the same filly in a Gr 1 two weeks later. He looks back on the day at Warwick Farm when he won a Gr 3 race under the most unusual of circumstances. Cavallo looks back on a feature country win which came out of the blue when Glen Boss had to forfeit the ride. The veteran spent almost 8 years out of Australia  during his long riding career. He reflects on stints in Singapore/Malaysia, Macau and Abu Dabi. He goes back to 2016 when he was still riding a power of trackwork at Randwick, but spending Saturdays at country meetings. Finally it made good sense to base himself in the central west. The jockey talks about his first country retreat at Cudgegong Waters near Mudgee. He loved the lifestyle. He continued his usual practice of riding regular trackwork. He formed a successful partnership with dubbo horseman Kody Nestor. Tony says he also got to Orange trackwork once a week for trainers like Alison Smith, Peter Cornish and Cindy Monaghan. He also rode work for Bob Howe on an abandoned picnic racecourse. He talks of his recent move into Mudgee township where he lives with partner Amanda. Anthony rarely rides in the city these days but has been able to win four editions of the TAB Highway. He looks back on those four wins. With his all important medical assessment due in a month, he’s already contemplating the possibility of having to quit the saddle. He says he’d love to have some contact with horses going forward. It’s a laid back chat with the little fellow of Italian descent who was besotted with thoroughbreds from the moment he walked into Ray Guy’s Rosehill stables.