IN-FORM hoop Craig Newitt is adamant he is on the right horse in Minnie Downs to hand him consecutive victories in today’s $80,000 Wodonga Gold Cup (1590m).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Newitt, pictured right, won last year’s cup aboard Stratigraphy.
He will be out to become the first jockey to capture back-to-back features since Brad Rawiller rode the locally owned Green Pick to successive triumphs in 2003-04.
The Brian Cox-trained mare has had four unplaced finishes this preparation in much stronger company in Melbourne including racing in group 3 company at her most recent start at Sandown with Newitt aboard.
Newitt said the scratching of Sweet As Bro yesterday with a foot issue had only boosted his confidence.
“If you study the form my mare looks like she is going to be pretty hard to beat,” Newitt said.
“While it looks a pretty even field, the scratching of Sweet And Bro makes it a bit easier.
“If Minnie Downs runs up to anywhere near her best she is going to be right in the finish.”
Newitt said Minnie Downs last start performance where she finished 10th at Sandown was a lot better than it looked on paper.
“I thought it was a fair run considering she didn’t get a lot of clear galloping room,” he said.
“She never really got out until the final 100 metres and finished the race off nicely.
“It was in far superior form than what she is going to meet today.
“All she needs is a bit of galloping room and if she winds up at the right time and puts her best foot forward — she should be the one they all have to beat.”
Newitt will be shooting for his third Wodonga Cup success after also previously winning aboard the Cox-trained Elbrus in 2006.
Similar to Minnie Downs, Elbrus was owned by long-time stable clients John and Helen McPhee.
Newitt was almost unstoppable at last year’s cup meeting to not only claim the feature race aboard Stratigraphy but finished with four winners and three thirds from his seven mounts.