Friendly tip leads on to colt’s spot in Classic

A LONG-TIME association with Quackerjack’s owner Frank Mittiga will reap a big dividend for trainer Mark Newnham if the colt wins the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

A former jockey, Newnham is well known through his work as foreman with the Gai Waterhouse stable for more than a decade.

When Waterhouse went into a training partnership with Adrian Bott about two years ago, Newnham decided to branch out on his own.

He decided he needed a horse that would develop into a genuine contender in big races and was at the Magic Millions sales with that in mind when he bought Quackerjack.

His long-time friend Mittiga encouraged him to bid $240,000 for Quackerjack.

“I only had a limited budget and got one other horse. But it has turned out the right decision because Quackerjack has been doing the right thing by us,” Newnham said.

“He has the right constitution and mindset to win a big race.”

Quackerjack ran last at his first start in Breeders’ Plate at Randwick in October but Newnham still believed he had a smart horse on his hands and gave him a break.

He then beat a good quality field at Randwick last Saturday week to earn a start in Saturday’s rich race at the Gold Coast.

Quackerjack will start from barrier 14 if there are no scratchings but Newnham has taken that in his stride.