Saturday’s win in the famous sprint down the Flemington straight 1200m course was Newitt’s first at Group 1 level since 2016 when Extreme Choice won the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Earlier that year, Newitt teamed with The Quarterback to win the Newmarket Handicap, one of 34 wins the jockey has scored at the highest level.
Saturday’s victory saw Newitt go one clear as the jockey with the most victories in the Newmarket having also won previously aboard Miss Andretti (2007) and Shamexpress (2013).
Jumping straight to the lead and heading to the inside fence, Caballus ($19) held-off a determined Gallant Son ($61) by a long-head with Angel Capital ($12) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Newitt said he was quite emotional at landing his first win at the highest level after a long absence.
“It’s been a while, but I’ve been sitting equal leader on the most amount of Newmarket wins, probably the most historic races in Australia at the moment, apart from the Melbourne Cup, especially for sprinting,” Newitt said.
“To be the most winningest rider, I’m very honoured.
“I was very happy after I’d gone 400, 500 metres. He pricked his ears, he was happy just bowling along at his own leisure.
“I probably opened him up a little bit earlier than what I said to the connections before the race, just so that I could get the buffer on the favourite, because I knew he’d be coming somewhere, but this bloke just held his gallop.
“He was challenged and just kept responding.”
Newitt said he had to thank Darby Racing for gaining the ride after Hugh Bowman could not make the 55kg the sprinter had in Saturday’s race.
“The fortunes of being a lightweight rider,” Newitt said.
“I was able to pick him up and yeah, (I’m) just very emotional.”
Caballus started his career with Chris Waller before being purchased by Darby Racing as an on-line purchase and transferring to Bjorn Baker.
Luke Hilton, the racing manager for trainer Baker said the decision to geld Caballus was the making of the sprinter.
“Bjorn has done an amazing job with him and Darby (Racing) who picked him up as an on-line purchase,” Hilton said.
“He did a good job as a colt, but he wasn’t performing to his level, so we gelded him, gave him time and he’s gone from strength to strength with each preparation.
“The more Bjorn has been able to work with him, the better he’s got and he’s really improved over the last six months and he’s a Group 1 winner now.
“It’s a great achievement by the team.”
