Tasmania’s leading jockey Craig Newitt forced out by industry shutdown

The state’s leading jockey says he has been left with no choice but to move to Victoria as a restart date for Tasmania’s racing industry is yet to be set.

Jockey Craig Newitt celebrates his victory on Deroche after winning the Vamos Stakes at the Launceston Cup from Mowbray Racecourse. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

TASMANIA’S leading jockey Craig Newitt has been forced to leave the state owing to the shutdown of Tasmania’s racing industry two weeks ago.

Newitt, the state’s reigning premier rider, will head to Victoria on Thursday accompanied by his partner Breanna Smith and his four children, all aged under seven.

TRAINERS TO SEND THEIR HORSES INTERSTATE AFTER SHUTDOWN

The talented rider said not knowing when the Tasmania’s racing industry would restart had left him with no option but to move to Victoria.

“This came as a real shock and here we are two weeks into the shutdown and we are none the wiser about when and if we can restart the industry,” Newitt said.

“I have to think of my family and the only way I can look after them financially is to move to where I can ride.”

Jockey Craig Newitt. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Newitt has won the past three Tasmanian jockeys’ premierships and with 64 wins so far this season, 26 ahead of his nearest competitor, would more than likely capture his fourth title.

“I love it here in Tassie because it is my home and I can carve a handy living here doing what I do best. I am able to get the JobKeeper allowance of $750 a week but half that goes on rent and then there’s food for all the family, so that leaves bugger all.

“I have made arrangements for us to fly out on Thursday from Hobart and we will self-isolate for 14 days at my sister’s place in Melbourne.”

Newitt was born in Devonport and rode successfully as an apprentice before relocating to Victoria aged 17 and he rose to the top riding multiple Group 1 winners in Australia and also landed a Group 1 win at Ascot in the UK. He returned to Tasmania to live just over three years ago and has since dominated the state’s riding ranks.

He is unsure whether he will return to Tasmania in the short term.

“I’m moving away because I have to,” Newitt said.

“If I knew Tasmanian racing would be up and running in a month, I’d wait it out but that’s not going to happen.

“So I’ve got to do what’s best for my kids and partner.”

Top apprentice Scarlet So, who hails from Hong Kong and who has been riding in the state for more than a year on a working visa, has also left Tasmania.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club told her she had to relocate to South Australia owing to the fact that there was no racing in Tasmania.