“Her best is good enough to beat anyone’: Jockey Craig Newitt eyes Group 1 glory with Pride Of Jenni

Jockey Craig Newitt has personal and professional motivations to toast Group 1 success on Saturday in the Doomben Cup aboard favourite Pride Of Jenni.

Jockey Craig Newitt is chasing Group 1 glory on Pride Of Jenni in Saturday's Doomben Cup. Pictures: Racing Photos

Jockey Craig Newitt has personal and professional motivations to toast Group 1 success on Saturday in the Doomben Cup aboard favourite 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.

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“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_newittpic.twitter.com/hK9cYMVDRo

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 3, 2025

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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 💎 @[e-mail]/dLggkgXDVa

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 29, 2023

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“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.”

Originally published as “Her best is good enough to beat anyone’: Jockey Craig Newitt eyes Group 1 glory with Pride Of Jenni