Jockey Craig Newitt in Caulfield and Melbourne Cup audition on The Map in MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield

Being in the right place at the right time could play a part in Craig Newitt securing a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup ride after Saturday’s Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield.

Taking his chances brought Craig Newitt a Group 2 win last Saturday and the same approach could land the jockey a Caulfield and Melbourne Cup ride seven days later.

Newitt’s ability to ride light secured him the ride on Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes winner Arkansaw Kid and the Chris Waller-trained Chrysaor in a Listed race.

The 39-year-old has the ride on Melbourne Cup-bound stayer The Map in the MRC Foundation Cup (2000m), which offers a Caulfield Cup ballot exemption to the winner.

Newitt has the mount on The Map after jockey Jamie Kah decided to ride the Ciaron Maher-trained Saint George in the $200,000 race.

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Kah won a Group 3 race on The Map in May and is well-placed to ride the six-year-old in the Melbourne Cup for long-time friends, the mare’s trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray.

The 33-time Group 1-winning jockey was keen to press his claims to keep the ride on The Map if Clarken and MacGillivray decide to aim the mare at the $5m showpiece.

The Map and jockey Jamie Kah could be in line to combine again in the $8m Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“You can only throw your hat in the ring and I’ve been lucky enough to pick the ride up on Saturday,” Newitt said.

“If she runs well, it can only enhance my chances of staying on her.

“She only has 50kg in the Melbourne Cup so there might not be many options if Jamie doesn’t ride her.”

The Map is a $13 chance in early betting on the MRC Foundation Cup after a promising first-up effort at Listed level in Adelaide last month.

The daughter of Alpine Eagle has had another quiet trial since.

Newitt said a good speed was likely in the MRC Foundation Cup, which would give The Map the chance to overrun her rivals late in the race.

“She’s a genuine stayer but she looks like she’s come back in great order,” Newitt said.

“She blew the start first-up but she still ran really well.

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“There looks good speed in the race so it should be genuinely run.

“If it comes down to stamina, it will suit her and she looks like she has got a sharp little turn of foot so it looks like she won’t be too far away.

“A little bit of rain coming won’t hurt either.”

Kah’s mount Saint George is the $4 favourite to atone for a luckless first-up outing in the MRC Foundation Cup.

Craig Williams will ride the $5.50 second pick Immediacy while Mark Zahra will be aboard the $6.50 shot Que Tempesta.

Originally published as Jockey Craig Newitt in Caulfield and Melbourne Cup audition on The Map in MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield