Newhart Brilliant in Mowbray Stakes

Mark Smith - Wednesday February 24

Fans of the favourite Newhart held their collective breath as Craig Newitt found a narrow seam coming around the turn in Wednesday’s $100,000 Listed Mowbray Stakes (1600m) at Launceston, but it was an easy watch from there on.

The Leanne Gaffney-trained son of Fighting Sun made it three wins on the trot in defeating Mandela Effect (Turffontein) by a length with a nose back to Swoop Dog (Husson) in third.

After winning the Devonport Cup (1880m), back in January, Newhart was expected to follow a traditional Cups path. However, Newitt suggested to part-owner Denise Martin the chestnut gelding be kept to shorter trips.

Newhart was coming off a near-4-length romp in the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1500m) at Hobart.

He’s a really talented horse. It was a beautiful ride,” Martin said.

“Craig did not think he could run a strong 2000m and it was his idea to take him through a Weight-For-Age preparation. I was not sure at the time if that was the right move, but clearly it was.

“Leanne Gaffney and the team have done a great job with him. And a big thank you to Paull Willets, who found him for me in Adelaide.   

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“I’m not sure where we go next, but clearly he has more to give.”

Newhart advanced his record to eight wins and five seconds from 15 starts with earnings of $316,400.

Purchased by Star Thoroughbreds/Paul Willetts Bloodstock for $60,000 out of the Fairways Bloodstock draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Newhart is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Derasa (Squamosa).

They are the only two to race out of the Commands mare Jesting, purchased for just $3,000 at the 2013 Inglis August Thoroughbred Sale.

From the family of Fantastic Light (IRE) and Your Song, Jesting has a 2yo gelding by Squamosa named Snappy Jim.

After foaling a Pride Of Dubai last spring, Jesting was bred back to Coolmore Stud’s champion first-season sire.

Sun Stud's ill-fated Fighting Sun

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Race Result - Steve's Liquor Mowbray Stakes LR 1600m

Launceston Track: Good(4) Time: 1:36.91
1
Newhart
- 5g Fighting Sun (AUS) x Jesting (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Gaffney Rdr: C Newitt 59
2
1.0
Mandela Effect
- 6g Turffontein (AUS) x Morell (AUS) (West Quest (CAN))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: B Mc Dougall 59
MM Tasmanian Yearling Sale $50,000
Seller: Motree Thoroughbreds, Waterhouse, Tas
Buyer: Brunton Racing
3
1.1
Swoop Dog
- 3g Husson (ARG) x Swooper (AUS) (Black Hawk (GB))
Tnr: J K Blacker Rdr: Jye McNeil 55
4
1.5
Sir Simon
- 7g Tickets (AUS) x Kats Clause (AUS) (Weasel Clause (AUS))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: D Pires 59
5
3.5
Mywordis
- 4g Wordsmith (AUS) x Liberty Reign (AUS) (Statue Of Liberty (USA))
Tnr: Drew Tyson Rdr: Kyle Maskiell 59
6
4.7
Paion
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Stella Grace (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G S White Rdr: T Baker 59
7
4.8
Creative Hero
- 5g More Than Ready (USA) x Imaginative (AUS) (Bianconi (USA))
Tnr: Ms J Richards Rdr: B Muhcu 59
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