Kalychurun making most of return to New Zealand

[Wandering Eyes]

Mauritian hoop Kevin Kalychurun is enjoying being back in New Zealand where he picked up his third win of the season from just 18 starts when victorious aboard Ghazzah (Akeed Mofeed) at Hastings last Saturday.

It was the second consecutive win for the pair and Kalychurun was just as pleased about picking up a placing with outsider Arbitrate in the last race on the card.

“It was the second (win) in a row (with Ghazzah), so it was good. He is a pretty tough horse and he tries hard,” Kalychurun said.

“It was great to get a third on one of the outsiders of the year in Arbitrate in the last, who was paying $66.70 for the win and $11.80 for the place. On that run, she should get somewhere in a midweek meeting.”

Kalychurun initially arrived in New Zealand in 2011 and enjoyed his time as apprentice under Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler. His most memorable association was with the Sally McKay-trained Showemup, who he guided to his first stakes victory in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) and placed in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m), Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m), and Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m).

“I was lucky enough to be with Kelvin Tyler who loves apprentices on a wet track, and that is what you get down south,” Kalychurun said. “Getting that first stakes win with Showemup was great.”

While Kalychurun enjoyed his initial stint in New Zealand, he wasn’t a fan of the cold winters in the deep south and elected to take up a lucrative riding contract in China in 2018.

“I was in China in 2018 and 2019 for five months,” he said. “China is still on the way up, but I enjoyed my time there and the money was too good to turn down.

“I was trying to get away from New Zealand’s winter, that is why I went to China. Donna Logan helped me to get the contract because she used to train for one of the owners who had horses in China, and he was looking for a lightweight rider.”

Kalychurun intended on returning to New Zealand, but that plan was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he was able to finally make his return last year before once again heading home to renew his visa.

“I went away and then I couldn’t come back into the country because of COVID, so I was riding in Mauritius,” he said. “I was in Mauritius last year trying to sort out my visa to come to New Zealand.

“I am back in New Zealand working for Robbie Patterson, we have a big team and are pretty busy. I am looking forward to spring and summer racing.

“He is a good fella to work for and we have got a lot of nice horses that I am looking forward to.”

Kalychurun is hoping to finish the rest of the season off strongly and he already has an eye towards next term.

“This season I started a bit late, but I would like to get another two wins for the rest of the season,” he said. “Next season I would like to get 20 winners and I would like to ride in some Group races.”

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