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Newhart the best since Brallos

3 minute read

Newhart joined an elite band of gallopers at Ladbrokes All-Weather Spreyton on Wednesday when he powered his way to victory in the $100,000 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup to become the first since champion Brallos to win the race in consecutive seasons.

NEWHART winning the Devonport Cup at Devonport in Australia.
NEWHART winning the Devonport Cup at Devonport in Australia. Picture: Tasracing

The Leanne Gaffney-trained five-year-old emerged last season as one of the most promising young stayers when he won the Devonport club's showcase event for the first time, but this latest win was easily a career-best effort.

The win also gave jockey Craig Newitt his seventh Devonport Cup to give him the record of most wins by a jockey, eclipsing the previous best held by Max Baker.

Newhart ($3.40 fav) was superbly ridden by Newitt who allowed the gelded son of Fighting Sun to settle near the rear of the field from the outside gate, while Dark Wanderer ($4.20) assumed the role of pacemaker with the well-backed Gee Gee Fiorente ($5.50) content to sit just off the speed.

Galway Girl ($23) also raced near the speed and when she emerged to stake her claim at the top of the straight Newitt called on Newhart for the big effort.

But once Newhart caught sight of the leader he knuckled down to his task and drew clear close to home to defeat Galway Girl with outsider White Cliffs ($41) flashing home along the rails to grab third.

Jockey : CRAIG NEWITT after winning the Devonport Cup aboard NEWHART.
Jockey : CRAIG NEWITT after winning the Devonport Cup aboard NEWHART. Picture: Tasracing

"I love this horse and to win the race again from the outside barrier was a credit to him and to his rider Craig Newitt," Gaffney said.

"If he comes through this race in good order, he will head to one of the lead-up races to the Hobart Cup but that's as far ahead as we are planning.

"He is a real good horse, and we haven't seen the best of him," Newitt said.

Orange Roughie that went into the race on the back of five consecutive wins in graded events, ran on gamely to finish fourth.

Newhart's cup win gave Gaffney four winners for the day in what was clearly her most memorable day at the races.


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