The victory Newitt posted on Saturday along the celebrated Flemington 1200m straight sprint was his maiden Group 1 success since 2016’s Extreme Choice Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Earlier that year, he had combined with The Quarterback for a Newmarket Handicap win, one among his 34 Group 1 conquests.
Saturday’s result positioned Newitt alone at the top for Newmarket Handicap victories, building on his previous triumphs with Miss Andretti in 2007 and Shamexpress in 2013.
Bounding out to lead and pinning himself to the inside, Caballus ($19) withstood a gritty challenge from Gallant Son ($61) by a long head, leaving Angel Capital ($12) a further three-quarters back in third.
Newitt shared that he felt quite overcome with emotion from this long-awaited Group 1 return.
“It’s been a while, but I’ve been sitting equal leader on the most amount of Newmarket wins, probably the most historic races in Australia at the moment, apart from the Melbourne Cup, especially for sprinting,” Newitt said.
“To be the most winningest rider, I’m very honoured.
“I was very happy after I’d gone 400, 500 metres. He pricked his ears, he was happy just bowling along at his own leisure.
“I probably opened him up a little bit earlier than what I said to the connections before the race, just so that I could get the buffer on the favourite, because I knew he’d be coming somewhere, but this bloke just held his gallop.
“He was challenged and just kept responding.”
He thanked Darby Racing for the ride, which came available when Hugh Bowman failed to make the 55kg on the sprinter Saturday.
“The fortunes of being a lightweight rider,” Newitt said.
“I was able to pick him up and yeah, (I’m) just very emotional.”
Caballus kicked off under Chris Waller, got snapped up online by Darby Racing, and joined Bjorn Baker’s team.
Luke Hilton, Baker’s racing manager, said the gelding procedure transformed the sprinter.
“Bjorn has done an amazing job with him and Darby (Racing) who picked him up as an on-line purchase,” Hilton said.
“He did a good job as a colt, but he wasn’t performing to his level, so we gelded him, gave him time and he’s gone from strength to strength with each preparation.
“The more Bjorn has been able to work with him, the better he’s got and he’s really improved over the last six months and he’s a Group 1 winner now.
“It’s a great achievement by the team.”
Head to the racing betting markets for competitive prices on the Newmarket Handicap.
