Jockey Origin crown Tassie’s
TASMANIAN jockeys Brendon McCoull and Craig Newitt produced some of their best efforts to secure victory in the State of Origin Jockey Series in Queensland last weekend.
McCoull, a winner of 14 state premierships, and Newitt the reigning Tasmanian premiership titleholder, went into the competition as outsiders but managed to rack up enough points to win the event, which was held over two days at Doomben.
Tasmania ended the series with 19 points to defeat team New Zealand (Damian Browne and Jason Collett) by a point, with Victoria’s Brett Prebble and Luke Nolan a point further adrift.
Newitt won on both days and McCoull finished high enough up the placings in most of his races to snare crucial points.
Newitt took out two of the five heats, winning aboard Cabin Fever at the Friday twilight meeting and producing a gun ride to win on Sofie’s Gold Class on Saturday.
It was the fourth running of the series and it was Tasmania’s first win.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of good things happen to me as far as riding is concerned on a national level, but there was no better feeling than to go back home and be selected to represent where I come from and end up win- ning the series with Brendon,” Newitt said.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that good about win- ning anything. A couple of Brendon’s rides secured crucial points, so it was definitely a combined effort and it was great to share this win with a champion rider and a great bloke.”
McCoull also was thrilled with the outcome.
“It’s always great when you represent your state in any sport, and to come away with a win gives us not only personal satisfaction but a feeling of pride in being a Tasmanian,” McCoull said.
“The event is very well organised and I’m sure it is now a permanent fixture on the national calendar.”
Newitt and McCoull will be back riding for individual honours in Launceston tomorrow with McCoull keen to win the feature race, the weight-for-age Conquering Stakes (1400m), aboard recent Newmarket Handicap winner I’m Wesley.
I’m Wesley is likely to start a long odds-on favourite but Newitt will be out to cause an upset aboard the John Blacker-trained Quick Defence, having his first start in the state since arriving from Chris Waller’s Sydney stable.