'Her best is good enough to beat anyone': Jockey Craig Newitt eyes Group 1 glory with Pride Of Jenni
Personally, Newitt, one of the hardest working riders in Victoria, is hungry to build on an enviable Group 1 tally while professionally, he wants to get Pride Of Jenni back to where she belongs.
Newitt crammed 33 Group 1 wins in a decade from 2006 but has gone without since he partnered boom colt-turned-stallion Extreme Choice to victory in the 2016 Moir Stakes.
The 40-year-old father of five has the best chance in a long time to end the drought in Brisbane.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
'This is what we do it for,' Newitt said.
'To try and find these sort of horses, she did it at her peak without me riding her but they never lose their ability, she's a little bit older now, but I still firmly believe she can (still) win Group 1 races.
'It's been nearly nine years since my last Group 1, hopefully she can deliver one on Saturday.'
Pride Of Jenni is a $3.50 favourite in all-in markets to win the Doomben Cup from Antino ($4), Buckaroo ($6) and Fawkner Park ($8).
Newitt has piloted Pride Of Jenni to victory in two of three starts since her comeback in March after being retired last spring following a setback.
Pride Of Jenni returns with a bang at Caulfield as she goes all the way to take out the Listed Anniversary Vase 🙌 @cmaherracing @craig_newitt pic.twitter.com/hK9cYMVDRo
â€' Racing.com (@Racing) May 3, 2025
• Gilbert Gardiner's horses to follow, forgive from Flemington on Saturday
His big race experience and craft on leaders like Pride Of Jenni central to the new association.
Jockey Declan Bates rode Pride Of Jenni exclusively since she burst onto the scene in the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival with successive Group 1 wins in the Empire Rose and Champions Mile.
Ben Melham replaced Bates for the Champion Mile last year and pulled up the mare after she bled.
Newitt had ridden Pride Of Jenni once previously when they almost pinched the 2023 Group 2 Stocks Stakes won by the fast-finishing short-priced favourite Amelia's Jewel.
"Bring on the Cox Plate."
Amelia's Jewel glides to the post to take out the Stocks Stakes ðŸ'Ž @Simon_Miller_ @LaneDamian pic.twitter.com/dLggkgXDVa
â€' Racing.com (@Racing) September 29, 2023
'I haven't had the big success on her yet, hopefully that's next Saturday,' Newitt said.
Pride Of Jenni won the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) but found the two-week back-up into the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) beyond her.
She returned after a five-week freshen to win the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) with 61kg.
Newitt will head to Cranbourne on Monday to gallop Pride Of Jenni.
'I'll give her a final gallop Monday morning and she'll be on the plane Tuesday,' Newitt said.
'I worked her last week, she's going well, so full steam ahead.
'We know she's got the ability … it's a matter of getting her there in the right frame of mind and in A-1 condition – if that's right at the start line I'm sure she'll make it an exciting race.
'She's a champion mare in her own right, she's just got to turn up and deliver her best and her best is good enough to beat anyone.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Boks out to hit back after watching lineout video nasty
South Africa's video analysis of their stunning 38-22 Rugby Championship defeat to Australia must have been a hard watch, not least the loss of five messy lineouts, normally such a reliable area of their game from which to launch attacks. The Wallabies managed to disrupt the Springboks' set-piece as they won at Ellis Park on Saturday for the first time in 62 years having rallied from 22-0 down in a second-half display for the ages. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has now rotated both locks from that game for the second Test against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday, with Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth both dropping to the bench. In come RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje, with Franco Mostert selected at flanker, but also a formidable lineout jumper. "All credit to Australia for how they handled the lineouts last week," Nortje told reporters on Wednesday. "It's not just the players who were on the field, all the locks sat together and made plans from the Sunday before the match. "So we need to ensure that we are more effective in that department this weekend. "We know we are much better than what we showed in Johannesburg, so it will be vital for us to stick to our plans this week and to go out there and be as physical as possible." Nortje, 27, is very much the junior in the Springbok lock collection, but has been impressive in his seven caps to date. "It's special for me to be part of this group of locks," he said. "Many of them have been my heroes since I started playing junior rugby, so I try to learn with each opportunity I get to play and train with them." Defending champions South Africa need a victory on Saturday to rekindle their title hopes with a tough two-match tour in New Zealand coming up next month.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
South Melbourne FC, Preston Lions pushing for A-League promotion as Western United struggles
Two local football clubs in Melbourne say they are ready to step up to the A-League should the embattled Western United fold. Men's champions just three years ago, Western United is fighting to stay alive amid a financial crisis with its licence stripped by Football Australia's First Instance Board this month. The expansion club has until 10am on Thursday to lodge an appeal against the decision. Storied clubs Preston and South Melbourne said if they were given the chance they would breathe new life into Australia's top-flight competition. Both have a rich history and were once a part of the defunct National Soccer League (NSL), the predecessor to the A-League. "This place has a heart, it has history. How many of the A-League clubs can say they've got 78 years of history and three generations of grandfather, father, son or daughter coming to the one game?" Preston Lions president David Cvetkovski said. "We have a heart, we have a soul." Founded in 1947 by Macedonian immigrants as a place to connect, Preston enjoyed success in the 1980s and 1990s but found itself relegated to lower leagues about 15 years ago. Cvetkovski, whose dad took him to Preston matches as a kid, said the club rebuilt through its people. "The one thing we knew with this place is we have the supporters," he said. Its members stuck by and within a decade Preston climbed back to the top of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Victoria. It's where Preston has re-established a rivalry with South Melbourne, a club that has long dominated the state competition. In round five this year, more than 9,000 screaming fans packed Preston's stands when the two sides clashed in a fixture dubbed The Big Show, according to the clubs. "In the closeness of a suburban ground the vibe that night was simply electric," Cvetkovski said. "I think we sold through 3,500 kebapi (kebab) rolls that night. "These community clubs are attracting crowds, they're attracting people to come out. Why? Because they've got a good product and they're a good club." The attendance at that game easily eclipsed three of the five A-League men's fixtures that weekend and matched the remaining two, according to crowd figures published by With an impressive record of producing Socceroos, including Ange Postecoglou — who has gone out to carve an impressive career as a coach — South Melbourne has long fought to return to the top of Australian football. The club said it has been ready for two decades. "We'd bring success, we'd bring excellence in football and a real passion for it," South Melbourne president Nick Maikousis said. The club has made several attempts to enter the A-League — in its last bid the club lost out to Western United, which entered the competition in 2018 as part of an expansion. Established to represent growing communities in Melbourne's western suburbs, the promise of a new stadium was central to United's successful bid. But the 15,000-seat stadium in Tarneit — a joint project with money from private investors and planning approval from the local council — is yet to be built. Cvetkovski said any new A-League club can have a stadium or financial backing, but it must also have a pulse. "For any club just to come about and create a new identity, brand connection and that link to passion is not easy," he said. He added there is no club without its supporters and community, and that money alone will not do it. Maikousis said Western United's struggles bring into question the method by which new A-League clubs are picked. "There seems to be a systemic failure," Maikousis said. "There have been plenty of clubs that have failed in the A-League in the last 20 years. "[Football Australia] need to take a breath and make sure that the next club that goes into the A-League adds value to it." Another pathway to promotion could open up when a national second-tier competition known as the Australian Championship starts in October. South Melbourne and Preston will feature and hope to show they are serious about making the leap to the A-League. "It'd be such a magnificent story for the A-League expansion to come from the Australian Championship," Maikousis said. "I think it's more than a trial run. It's something that must be successful." Cvetkovski said Preston held no fear about playing in the A-League and said they could build a side within months. "If you told us that we had to play the A-League, we would have no problem competing in all facets," he said. The Australian Championship is designed to "connect the football pyramid in Australia and elevate aspirational clubs to the national stage", according to a Football Australia spokesperson. "FA will continue to monitor the growth of the Australian Championship, noting it remains a key strategic objective to establish a standalone NST home & away league competition in the future," they said. The A-Leagues have been contacted for comment.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
South Africa ODI bowler reported over suspect action
South Africa's spinning allrounder Prenelan Subrayen has been reported over a suspect bowling action after the Proteas' victory in the first one-day international against Australia. The 31-year-old offspinner, who took the key wicket of Travis Head early on before taking 1-46 in his 10 overs, had been making his ODI debut in the 98-run win in Cairns on Tuesday. But in the match officials' report, concerns were cited about the legality of his bowling action. With Subrayen now having to face an independent assessment of his action at an ICC-accredited testing facility within 14 days, the news is a blow to the Proteas who are already having to cope without injured star paceman Kagiso Rabada. After losing the T20I series 2-1, the Proteas are eyeing revenge in the ODI series with two matches still to be played in Mackay on Friday and Sunday. It was only two months ago that Subrayen also earned his first Test appearance against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, and he was immensely proud and emotional after the honour of receiving his first ODI cap in Cairns. Subrayen has previously had plenty of scrutiny over his action, starting well over a decade ago. In December 2012, Cricket South Africa (CSA) placed him under rehabilitation after two separate independent tests showed his action to be illegal, but he was cleared to bowl again in January 2013 after re-testing. Subrayen was subsequently reported twice the following two years during matches, before he was eventually cleared to resume bowling after having his action examined at South Africa's national performance centre in March 2016. South Africa's spinning allrounder Prenelan Subrayen has been reported over a suspect bowling action after the Proteas' victory in the first one-day international against Australia. The 31-year-old offspinner, who took the key wicket of Travis Head early on before taking 1-46 in his 10 overs, had been making his ODI debut in the 98-run win in Cairns on Tuesday. But in the match officials' report, concerns were cited about the legality of his bowling action. With Subrayen now having to face an independent assessment of his action at an ICC-accredited testing facility within 14 days, the news is a blow to the Proteas who are already having to cope without injured star paceman Kagiso Rabada. After losing the T20I series 2-1, the Proteas are eyeing revenge in the ODI series with two matches still to be played in Mackay on Friday and Sunday. It was only two months ago that Subrayen also earned his first Test appearance against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, and he was immensely proud and emotional after the honour of receiving his first ODI cap in Cairns. Subrayen has previously had plenty of scrutiny over his action, starting well over a decade ago. In December 2012, Cricket South Africa (CSA) placed him under rehabilitation after two separate independent tests showed his action to be illegal, but he was cleared to bowl again in January 2013 after re-testing. Subrayen was subsequently reported twice the following two years during matches, before he was eventually cleared to resume bowling after having his action examined at South Africa's national performance centre in March 2016. South Africa's spinning allrounder Prenelan Subrayen has been reported over a suspect bowling action after the Proteas' victory in the first one-day international against Australia. The 31-year-old offspinner, who took the key wicket of Travis Head early on before taking 1-46 in his 10 overs, had been making his ODI debut in the 98-run win in Cairns on Tuesday. But in the match officials' report, concerns were cited about the legality of his bowling action. With Subrayen now having to face an independent assessment of his action at an ICC-accredited testing facility within 14 days, the news is a blow to the Proteas who are already having to cope without injured star paceman Kagiso Rabada. After losing the T20I series 2-1, the Proteas are eyeing revenge in the ODI series with two matches still to be played in Mackay on Friday and Sunday. It was only two months ago that Subrayen also earned his first Test appearance against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, and he was immensely proud and emotional after the honour of receiving his first ODI cap in Cairns. Subrayen has previously had plenty of scrutiny over his action, starting well over a decade ago. In December 2012, Cricket South Africa (CSA) placed him under rehabilitation after two separate independent tests showed his action to be illegal, but he was cleared to bowl again in January 2013 after re-testing. Subrayen was subsequently reported twice the following two years during matches, before he was eventually cleared to resume bowling after having his action examined at South Africa's national performance centre in March 2016.
