3 minute read

Craig Newitt had a great association with Extreme Choice and that has continued as he rode the first Flemington winner he has sired as a stallion in Abseiler.

Craig Newitt was full of praise for debutant Flemington winner Abseiler and compared him at least physically to his sire Extreme Choice.

Newitt is in a good position to make a comparison as he rode Extreme Choice to victory in the Blue Diamond stakes and also the Moir Stakes.

"He's definitely inherited his size. He's not real big. He's got a big ticker," Newitt said.

Abseiler ($18) raced down the outside of the Flemington straight and proved too good for Telluride ($4 fav) by a length with Chameleon Choice ($7) a long neck away third to take out the 1000m Summer Twilight Series Plate.

Abseiler is from Extreme Choice's first crop and is his third winner.

Newitt remarked on Abseiler's attitude saying it was a long time since he had ridden a two-year-old that was so professional.

"He cantered down to the gates like he's been here a hundred times," Newitt said.

"He didn't break out in a sweat even before he walked into the gates. He just travelled so professionally the whole way and was going to win a long way out."

"He just took everything in his stride, so professional, so I'm tipping that he's got a pretty bright future ahead of him," he said.

Abseiler is prepared by Lloyd Kennewell and is another member of his promising two-year-old crop which also includes spring placegetters Marine One and Direct.

His father Gary Kennewell was on track to saddle the gelding as his son is on the Gold Coast.

He said he didn't share his son's confidence going into the race.

"He's not a big horse by any means but obviously very quick," Gary Kennewell said.

Abseiler firmed from $101 to $26 for the Blue Diamond Stakes after the win.