Newitt going to his sons basketball game just before riding Pride Of Jenni

[Chief Stipe]

Newitt humbled by Jenni journey

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With 33 Group 1s already on his CV, the hunger remains for jockey Craig Newitt as he looks to add to that tally aboard star mare Pride Of Jenni.

It may have been a few years since his most recent top-level success, but heading into Saturday's G1 Australian Cup at Flemington, Newitt is confident Pride Of Jenni will be the horse to give him more.

"It's been about nine years since my last Group 1 winner, so I'm starting to get very excited because I've got no doubt that she's going to deliver me another one," he said.

"This is what we get out of bed for every morning at 4am, to find these sorts of horses and race at the elite level.

"She's basically the banner horse for Victorian racing at the moment … to be associated with a champion mare like her, I'm very grateful and I don't take that for granted."

A father of five, Newitt married partner Breaana in January, with his happiness off the track reflecting in his work.

"We're in a very good place at the moment, I truly believe I'm probably riding as good as I ever have," he said.

"One thing I was always taught, you never lose your ability, it's just in this game it's the opportunities that you get."

WATCH: Hear from Newitt

 

Newitt acknowledges Pride Of Jenni could be the one to bring further G1 chances his way.

"If more doors open, (that's) more than welcome," Newitt said.

As a parent, Newitt also recognises the sentimental importance the Pride Of Jenni journey holds for the Ottobre family, who lost their daughter Jennifer to a brain tumour in 2015.

"To have five boys of my own, I couldn't imagine what they went through, so to be able to live the Jenni legacy with them, I'm sure with years and years down the track, we're still going to be talking about Pride Of Jenni," he said.

The mare has also inspired his own boys to follow the sport more closely.

"Not many of them were interested in it before Jenni came along, but my eldest one is starting to get a bit of Jenni fever, which is good and my seven-year-old is mad anything!" Newitt said.

"It's very exciting and very humbling."

Family also provides an important outlet away from the track.

"I think every jockey needs a hobby, most of my days off it's either driving to basketball or football training," he said.

"Even this Saturday, Jenni's not in until (Race) 8, so I'll be at my under-10s semi-final for basketball this week. It'll be a nice getaway for a while then, come lunchtime, we'll then tighten the screws down and hopefully get Jenni home."

Newitt has already won two Australian Cups - in 2006 with Roman Arch and 2007 with Pompeii Ruler - but Saturday's edition holds a unique test, given Pride Of Jenni's running style.

"She's one that you ride her, not the race," he explained.

"A lot of times you've got to ride the race as well as your horse. I think you've just got to get her into her comfort zone, she cruises along at sectionals most horses can't travel at and sustain it."

WATCH: Pride Of Jenni's Peter Young Stakes win