Newitt Looks To Repay Oakleigh Girl Owner's Faith in Magic Millions

Jockey Craig Newitt is ready to repay the faith shown by Oakleigh Girl’s owners this Saturday – after shouldering the responsibility for her last start loss.

Newitt will be back in the saddle for this Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic 1200m race, despite being criticised for his BJ McLachlan Stakes ride on the same horse last month.

And it seems both horse and rider are also receiving the backing of Sportsbet‘s punters too – as the one-time favourite shot out to 13.00 following her flop last time out, before a steady stream of support has seen the Queensland filly now priced at 11.00 with the Australian bookmaker.

Newitt refused to give up the lead in their last race together, leading to Oakleigh Girl fading from first to fourth. However, the jockey is adamant he’s learnt his lesson from that race.

He told the Herald Sun: “I do feel responsible for it and I’m the one sitting on her. But, at the end the day, it’s all very good in hindsight.

“Now I know her limitations, we just have to draw a nice marble and if she leads, she will lead. But, if they go hard, she can take a sit off them.”

And Newitt admits the faith shown in him by owner Steve Gillard would make a victory even better than normal this Saturday.

He added: “In this game, there is not a lot of loyalty left these days and it is pretty cut throat. It would be a great thrill to win on her for them.

“Hopefully we can get the job done on Saturday and it can be the start of a good association.”

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