Craig chooses Extreme

Colt ready to tackle Chautauqua

JOCKEY Craig Newitt says Extreme Choice has passed a crucial test, giving him confidence the former star juvenile can defeat champion sprinter Chautauqua at Moonee Valley tonight.

“He’s back, I can tell you that,’’ Newitt said.

“He’s put on 50kg. He hasn’t grown as such but he has matured. The colt has become a stallion.’’

Trainer Mick Price wondered if Extreme Choice would struggle at three after his twoyear-old season featured victory in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Golden Slipper winner Capitalist showed with a surprise first-up flop there are no spring guarantees with star autumn two-year-olds.

Capitalist and Extreme Choice face tests of their spring capabilities this weekend. Capitalist must defeat superstar Astern in the Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick tomorrow to bounce back to winning form and Extreme Choice must fend off Chautauqua tonight.

The betting suggests $1.60 chance Astern has Capitalist’s measure, but the $2.15 on offer for Chautauqua and the solid support for Extreme Choice ($5) suggests the Moir Stakes is no foregone conclusion.

“They’re all beatable,’’ Newitt said of Chautauqua.

“But my bloke has come back super. He is starting to remind me a hell of a lot of Snitzel, who I won an Oakleigh Plate on a few years ago.”

He has said he would opt out of a likely fierce speed bat- tle and Price advised stewards yesterday Extreme Choice would be restrained early.

“The speed will be crazy and it’s the perfect chance for us to snag him back and ride from off the pace,’’ Newitt said.

He said the 6.5kg weight pull would have been of greater benefit had the plan been to try to run the grey ragged.

“But we’ll still be trying to get a break on him,’’ he said.