Jockey Craig Newitt (Image: Racing Photos)
Jockey Craig Newitt believes classy colt Glenfiddich is in with a red-hot chance down in the weights in this year’s Cox Plate and says he’s thrilled to have secured the ride on Peter Moody’s exciting three year-old.
Newitt rode Glenfiddich to third first-up against the older horses in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 29, with the colt having since come out and demolished his rivals the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at The Valley last Friday night under jockey Luke Nolen.
Moody's long-time rider Nolen will be back on board when the son of Fastnet Rock races in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) but with the colt having to carry just 49.5kg in the Cox Plate, Newitt once again got the call up.
“It was great to lock it in and he’s definitely got a lot of class, I would have been disappointed if they’d gone with someone else down at that weight,” Newitt said.
“I learnt a lot from my ride on him in the Memsie and then also Luke rode him perfectly the other night, that’s obviously his pattern where he’s comfortable to get out in front.
“I’ll hopefully have a ride in the Guineas but of course I’ll be keeping a good eye on him either way.
“He’ll take improvement from that run and it will be great to see his continued development through this preparation, he’s already relaxing well.
“I think he’s in with a really good chance against them in the Cox Plate and the 2000m will suit him well and he’s now won around the Valley.
“He didn’t need to have had another run before the Guineas but it definitely fills me with a bit more confidence knowing that he’s had a good look around the track.”
WATCH - Glenfiddich wins the G2 Stutt Stakes