CRAIG NEWITT RIDING AT DOOMBEN

By Graham Potter | Friday, July 17, 2026

Punters might do a double-take when the name Craig Hewitt stares out at them from the Doomben card on Saturday where the multiple Group 1 winning jockey has a well-supported book of eight rides for six different trainers.

The interstate based hoop’s rides in Queensland are few and far between, and this visit is very much a quick-fire combination of work and pleasure for Newitt where a few winners would certainly make his trip all the more worthwhile.

And a few winners could be well within Newitt’s grasp.

Taking a lead from the betting, Newitt’s best chance could come aboard the Robert Heathcote trained Express Payment in race 8, an Open Handicap over 1615m, with the son of Rich Enuff having saluted in two of his last three starts. He is currently a $4.60 favourite.

One race earlier (race 7) She’s Exotic ($6) could also be a lively chance, that is provided she can revive close to her best form after finishing unplaced in her last two starts. She did have a run of three successive wins earlier in her career which speaks to her level of capability when she does put it all together,

If he was to have a winner beyond these two runners, Newitt will have to change hats and become a bookmaker’s friend as all six of his other rides are currently quoted at double figure odds … and it not out of the question that Newitt could well play well part in an upset result.

Newitt rides the $10 chance, the Barry Lockwood and Emma Jane Vincent trained Puff ‘N Harry in race 2. Puff ‘N Harry is a last start winner having saluted a BM65 Handicap over 1400m at the Gold Coast last time out.

Winston Hills (race 6), at $19, is the only other Newitt runner quoted at less than $20 with all of Don’tdoubt The Lady (race 5), The Torque Xpress (race 3), Divakara (race 4) and Special Outcast (race 9) all being marked up at odds above $20.