NEWITT AFTER OUTRIGHT NEWMARKET RECORD

Craig Newitt Looking for Newmarket win number 4

Newitt believes he should already be holding the outright title of most Newmarket wins but knows it was his choice to ride the stablemate of the winner not the winner he had been on in previous starts.

“I should have already had the record but I rode Samaready and not Lankan Rupee,” Newitt said when referring to the 2014 edition of the Newmarket Handicap.

Newitt currently shares the title with illustrious company having won the race three times alongside Harold Badger, Athol Mulley, Damien Oliver and Harry White with a trio of wins each.

This is set to be the biggest test to date for Artorious, however Newitt believes he should relish the big field with 24 entries expected for the $1.5m contest.

“I think that will suit him because there will be a lot more speed and he’ll actually get the chance to travel on the bit,” Newitt said.

“The small fields he has been running in tend to get him chasing a fair way out and he’s always really strong late.

“If he can be on the bridle and not too far away at the clock tower, it will take a good one to finish better than him.

“I think he’s got a better finish than most horses going around at the moment.”

Newitt hasn’t paired with Artorious as yet but believes his form shown demonstrates him as a consistent sprinter despite not crossing the line first since his Blue Diamond victory.

“I’ve never sat on this bloke but I’m yet to find a bad run in his form. It’s just his racing pattern that lets him down most of the time,” Newitt said.

“There was nothing wrong with this horse’s run first-up at Caulfield. He was chasing a long way out but his last 100m, he really let rip.

“I think back to the straight will suit him and he’s a great chance.

“He’s the best chance I’ve had of winning this race in a long time.”

Artorius is a $9 chance in TAB’s latest all-in market on the Newmarket Handicap.

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