Odds-on for Newitt reign
WHEN top jockey Craig Newitt decided to relocate with his family to Tasmania from Victoria late last year, most people in the industry questioned the move.
After all, the talented rider still had what seemed many years to offer at the elite level on a stage where all the good horses play at some time during the year and where the best prizemoney is on offer.
In the six months leading to him returning home the Group wins had dried up, but he remained a popular choice with some of the leading Victorian stables and because of shrewd investing he was able to pick and choose where and when he rode.
But three months on Newitt knows for certain he made the right decision.
In the 11 weeks he has been back riding permanently in Tasmania he has ridden 39 winners and, barring injury or serious suspensions, he is odds-on to win this season’s jockeys’ premiership.
Almost six months into the season, he already has what looks to be to be an unbeatable lead over Siggy Carr (26 wins), Troy Baker (22) and reigning premier rider David Pires (18).
“When I came back to Tassie I knew I could back my ability to ride winners, but I never gave winning the premiership a thought,” Newitt said.
“I was keen to get established with some top stables and that’s happened, and with that came being associated with some very good horses.
“It is very competitive here in Tassie because we basically race on average just under one and a half times a week, so we all have to make the most of every ride.
“My family comes first and that is what has driven me to come back home.
“The kids have settled in really well and our lifestyle is pretty good, so we couldn’t ask for more.”
Newitt says he has become associated with some very good horses but the one that stands out from the rest is the Barry Campbell-trained Eastender, a recent winner of the Brighton Cup which has earned him ballot-free entry into next month’s Hobart Cup.
“I’ve been on a lot of really nice horses, but Eastender is one out of the box as far as stayers are concerned,” he said.
“He is so athletic and just wants to stay and that is going to take him a long way in that caper and more than likely interstate when he has gone as far as he can here in Tassie.
“He’ll tackle the Hobart Cup and he’s going to be a huge winning chance in that, but I reckon he’s a much better horse in Launceston so the Lonny cup is where he’ll really shine.”
Meanwhile, last year’s Hobart Cup and Launceston Cup runner-up Count Da Vinci will return to racing in Launceston on Wednesday night in a 1200m weight-for-age event — and Newitt has been booked to ride.
Count Da Vinci campaigned successfully in Victoria after his major cups campaign in Tasmania last season.
This season his main mission could be the Sydney Cup to be run over 3200m at Randwick on April 14.