Craig Newitt has cut short an overseas riding stint to return to Melbourne, but not before he chases a feature race win at Doomben.
Newitt will leave Singapore on Friday and head to Brisbane for four rides at the Stradbroke Handicap meeting, including Fast `N’ Rocking in the Group One.
He will also partner Whatalovelyday in the Queensland Guineas, Escado in the Brisbane Cup and Facile Tigre in the Hinkler Handicap.
Newitt’s licence to ride in Singapore was due to finish at the end of June but after notifying the Singapore Turf Club that he would not be seeking an extension, the jockey found it difficult to get mounts.
He said he would like to return to Singapore in the future but found living in the country with a young family too expensive.
“When the kids are grown up a little bit I would come back for sure, but just at the age they are it makes it a little bit difficult,” Newitt said.
Newitt’s first meeting back in Melbourne will be at Flemington on Wednesday.
The jockey has spoken to Mick Price, a long-time supporter, and the trainer will welcome him back to the fold.
“I spoke to Mick before I did anything up here and he said there is definitely a place for me in his stable,” Newitt said.
“So I’ll pretty much fall into the routine I was in, riding work for him and ride pretty much five, six days a week.”
Newitt leaves Singapore in sixth place on the jockeys’ premiership table with 21 winners from 223 rides.
His biggest success there was in last month’s Group Two Golden Horseshoe aboard Super One who is being considered for a Coolmore Stud Stakes start in the spring.
