Newitt can’t resist call to come home

Memories of childhood prompt star’s return

WHEN jockey Craig Newitt left Tasmania as a baby-faced teenager almost 16 years ago, he had hopes of making it to the top of a sport that rewards only the talented and the brave.

The kid from Devonport left Tasmania with an impeccable record, having outridden his Tasmanian claiming allowance in his first year in the saddle. Newitt landed the plum job as an apprentice with Australian Racing Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman whose stable, at the time, was the leading yard in Victoria.

Trainers quickly cottoned on to Newitt’s empathy with horses and his natural lefthanded whip style that secured him many plum rides in feature races, which ultimately led him to join Caulfield-based mentor Mick Price.

The now 33-year-old had an association with some champions including Lankan Rupee, a winner of four Group 1s including the $2.1 million T.J. Smith Stakes, and Miss Andretti, who won five times at Group 1 level.

He has partnered Group 1 winners in four states and he has ridden with moderate success in Singapore and rode Miss Andretti in a Group 1 at Royal Ascot in the UK.

As the years rolled on, Newitt experienced life at the top and endured the hardship that resulted from an 18-month suspension from which many jockeys would not recover. But his determination and ability enabled him to regroup and ride his way back to the top.

Newitt missed the 2004-05 season after being found guilty of lying to stewards at an inquiry over his handling of Leone Chiara in a race at Sandown in November 2003.

As of last week Newitt had ridden 1713 winners, of which 33 were at Group 1 level, with the prizemoney tally from all of his wins and placings sitting at more than $82 million.

Most diehard racing pundits have asked why would a jockey of his calibre and at such a young age with so much more to give at the elite level want to return to Tasmania to live.

The answer is simple. Newitt and his wife, Karli, want to raise their children — Noah, 8, Chase, 6, Casey, 5, and Reign, four weeks — in a better and safer environment than they have in Melbourne.

“I always planned to come back to Tasmania to live but it has just come a bit sooner that we expected,” he said. “I’ve dedicated the past 15 years to racing and the hard work has paid off, but in recent times I’ve had to reset my thinking and all I want to do now is concentrate on my family.

“I don’t want to have to be outside in the backyard watching my kids play for fear of something bad happening to them and that’s what it’s like where we were living and it was in what is considered a very good neighbourhood.

“When I was growing up in Tassie I had a great childhood and I just want to give my children the same opportunities I had and Karli feels just the same way.”

Newitt will continue to ride interstate on Saturdays because he still is a much sought-after commodity.

“I’m only an hour away from Melbourne, so it’s not as if I’m giving up on riding at the elite level, but I’ll just be based in Tasmania,” he said.

“I know the same amount of opportunities won’t exist with me living in Tassie, but there are still quite a few prominent owners and trainers who are keen to keep putting me on.”

Newitt had a great relationship with his late father, Guy Newitt, and he intends to secure the same relationship with his children.

“My dad was my best mate and I am hoping to have that same sort of relationship with my four sons — and the best way to establish that is if I am living in Tasmania,” he said.

Having Craig Newitt back living and riding regularly in his home state is an incredible boon for the local racing industry.

I’m only an hour away from Melbourne, so it’s not as if I’m giving up on riding at the elite level — JOCKEY CRAIG NEWITT