Sprinter’s in the Vic mix

WELL-PERFORMED Tasmanian sprinter Gee Gee Secondover makes his interstate debut in a $108,000 open handicap over 1000m at Flemington tomorrow.

The Leon Wells-trained four-year-old has not started since finishing last in an open handicap at Mowbray on Launceston Cup day in late February.

The gelded son of Wordsmith has drawn the outside barrier in a field of eight, but he will have Craig Newitt in the saddle — and nobody knows the horse better as he has partnered him to all but one of his eight wins.

Newitt has recently relocated to Victoria where he will be based indefinitely, and this will be his first ride since travelling to Victoria on Monday.

“I’m looking forward to riding this horse on Saturday because he is in the right race and he has a sensational firstup record,” Newitt said.

“I know the horse like the back of my hand and the best part about his racing style is that he loves to sit off the speed and deliver his brilliant turn of foot late.

“He also will be well-suited to running up the straight at Flemington.”

Wells is unable to travel with the horse because of Victoria’s COVID-19 border restrictions, so the gelding was sent to Gai Waterhouse’s Flemington stable.

He arrived there safe and sound on Wednesday morning.

“There’s no need to do much with the horse other than to trot him out on Friday because he’s done plenty of work in Tassie before heading interstate,” Wells said.

“At one stage we thought we wouldn’t be able to get him back to Tasmania, so we weren’t going to go.

“But then the stewards told us it was OK for horses to travel.

“We haven’t been able to send anyone with the horse, but we’ve looked after Gai’s horses when they’ve come for races during our carnivals, so she was happy to help us out.”

Gee Gee Secondover was installed as the $4 favourite in most markets and he has already firmed to $3.90, but that doesn’t surprise Newitt.

“The horse is a huge winning chance if his Tassie form holds up and I think it will,” he said.

Newitt yesterday received the all-clear on the COVID-19 test that he was required to take before being given the nod to resume riding in Victoria.

“I feel great, so it was just a matter of going through the motions,” he said.

Newitt left Tasmania in early April when the Tasmanian industry was shut down and during that time, he reconnected with many of the trainers and owners with whom he formed great working relationships during the 16 years he was domiciled in Victoria.

He has notched 33 Group 1 winners and he says there are more to come.

“I believe I can be associated with a couple of very smart horses in the spring and I’m determined to work hard to make this move work.”