Craig Newitt paid a heavy price for his loyalty the last time he rode Samaready.
Newitt had the option of partnering the mare or her Mick Price-trained stablemate Lankan Rupee in the Group One Newmarket Handicap and stuck with Samaready.
The choice cost him $29,000 in winning percentages after Lankan Rupee claimed the Newmarket with Chad Schofield in the saddle – Newitt banking $1000 for Samaready’s sixth as a $4 favourite.
Samaready winning the Programmed Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
The decision could cost Newitt another payday if Lankan Rupee’s connections decide to stick with Schofield in the $2.5 million Group One TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney next month.
Newitt said Samaready’s disappointing Newmarket Handicap performance shocked him.
But he still has faith in the four-year-old despite fears her last outing might be a sign her racing career is nearly over.
“It was the first time the other day that she let me down but I can’t put a finger on why,” Newitt said.
“I’m reading it like she’s not a straight track horse.
“I know how good she is but she’s a mare. One day you have got them and the next day you haven’t.
“I just hope we haven’t lost her (interest in racing).”
Newitt is drawing confidence from Samaready’s return to Moonee Valley where the daughter of More Than Ready recorded arguably her best win in the Group One Moir Stakes in September.
Samaready has drawn barrier one in Friday’s $400,000 contest which will also mark the autumn return of Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner.
The pair is among three Group One winners in the sprint along with Shamexpress.
Bookmakers have Samaready a clear favourite to give Newitt his second William Reid Stakes win after his 2007 victory on Miss Andretti.
