Caballus delivers Newmarket triumph for Newitt
Craig “Froggy” Newitt turned back the clock at Flemington on Saturday when guiding Sydney raider Caballus (I Am Invincible) to victory in the Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) down the famous straight course.
The win was Newitt’s first at Group 1 level since partnering Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt) to victory in the Moir Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) at The Valley in 2016, and the 34th top-level success of his career.
It also secured the jockey outright bragging rights in one of Australia’s most prestigious sprint races, with Newitt now the most successful rider in Newmarket history after previous wins aboard Miss Andretti (2007), Shamexpress (O’Reilly) (2013) and The Quarterback (Street Boss) (2016).
Jumping sharply from the barriers, Newitt sent the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding straight to the lead along the inside rail. The $19 chance proved tenacious late, holding off a determined challenge from Gallant Son (Written Tycoon) by 0.3 lengths, with Angel Capital (Harry Angel) 0.7 lengths further away in third.
Newitt admitted the victory carried added emotion given the length of time since his last success at the highest level.
“It’s been a while,” he said. “To be the most winning rider in the Newmarket, probably the most historic sprint race in Australia, is something I’m very honoured by.
“I was very happy after we’d gone 400 or 500 metres. He pricked his ears and was happy bowling along at his own leisure.
“I probably opened him up a little earlier than I’d told the connections I would, just so I could get a buffer on the favourite [Tentyris]. But he just kept responding.”
The ride came about after regular jockey Hugh Bowman was unable to make the gelding’s allotted weight of 55 kilograms.
“The fortunes of being a lightweight rider,” Newitt said. “I was able to pick him up and I’m just very emotional.”
The 18th individual Group 1 winner for superstar sire I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), Caballus is the first stakes winner out of Calming Influence (Commands) and Alma Vale Thoroughbreds will consign her Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) filly at Inglis Easter as Lot 244.
Anthony and Sam Freedman’s hot favourite Tentyris (Street Boss) was shown clear air at the 300 metres but had much to do and could only manage fifth, beaten 1.5 lengths. It was discovered post-race that Godolphin’s dual Group 1 winner suffered cardiac arrhythmia.