By John Schell
A dream start to a career as a jockey for Jett Newman is poised to continue at Grafton on Tuesday when she combines with new boss Matthew Dunn for a couple of rides.
The 17-year-old Newman, a daughter of former jockey Mitch Newman, had her first race rides, both for Dunn, at Murwillumbah on Sunday, finishing second on Torque Of Dreams before winning on Without Parallel at just her second ride.
Trainer Matthew Dunn.Credit: Getty
“It was a great way to start,” Newman said. “I’ve only been with Matt Dunn at Murwillumbah for a couple of weeks, but it’s been great so far. He’s giving me opportunities and it’s up to me to take advantage of them now.”
Newman originally had four rides for Dunn at Grafton, however Lubrication has been scratched from the final event and Moscow Circus is not expected to run, having contested a trial after the last race at Murwillumbah on Sunday.
That leaves Guru Class in the Exclusive Trophies Benchmark 58 Handicap – Heat Of The Rising Star (1006m) and Foo Fighter in the Causley Wholesale Maiden Plate (1560m) as Newman’s remaining mounts.
“Guru Class has a good record and her latest trial at the Gold Coast was OK,” said Newman. “The four-kilogram claim should help her, and she is a first-up winner, so she should run well.”
Foo Fighter was placed at Lismore two starts ago and then was close-up when fourth at Grafton at his latest run.
“He’s been working well, and the claim should really help him too,” said Newman. “He’s going well and can run a good race.”
Newman has had a solid grounding to get her ready for her race riding career.
“I started riding trackwork about two years ago and rode in a lot of trials before having a race ride,” Newman said. “I was based at Hawkesbury, and it was great there, but the time came for me to go to a bigger stable where there would be plenty of opportunities and that came along with Matt. He’s got plenty of horses, and some great people working with him.”
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Dance To The Boom doesn’t miss a beat
Craig Kerry
Unbeaten Bjorn Baker-trained filly Dance To The Boom looked on target for the group 2 Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick on February 15 after a stylish trial up against Golden Slipper champion Lady Of Camelot on Monday at Rosehill.
The Exceedance filly was having her first trial since being scratched from the $3 million Magic Millions Guineas on the Gold Coast because of an abrasion. Before that, Dance To The Boom won at Kembla, Canterbury then the Gosford Guineas at Wyong to start her career.
She led the 900m group level trial on the course proper on Monday before holding off Lady Of Camelot, which was asked for an effort at her third trial back. Group 1 winner Sunshine In Paris was three lengths behind in third.
North England firms in Slipper betting
Craig Kerry
North England firmed into the fourth line of betting for the $5 million Golden Slipper with a dominant trial win over fellow contender Bel Merci at Rosehill on Monday. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Golden Gift winner led in his second trial in preparation for a likely return in the group 2 Silver Slipper on February 22.
The Farnan colt, wound in from $26 to $17 for the Golden Slipper with TAB, then extended the margin over John Thompson-trained Gimcrack winner Bel Merci ($15 for Slipper) in the 900m trial, winning by 3.5 lengths. Michael Freedman-prepared Pallaton, an $11 chance for the Golden Slipper, closed off well for third.
Freedman’s Wings Of Desire, a three-quarter sister of Winx, stormed home for second in her heat, while Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained two-year-old Skyhook made an eye-catching debut trial win.
