News

Craig Newitt has all the answers

27th Mar 2012

Herald Sun - Adrian Dunn - Monday, 26 March 2012

CRAIG Newitt is not buying into the great Golden Slipper puzzle of whether Black Caviar's half brother All Too Hard will contest Saturday week's race.

Newitt has heard the whispers about what Team Hawkes intends to do with the unbeaten All Too Hard, but it interests him little.

Newitt said all Slipper connections should instead be concerned about his mount, Samaready.

"I think they have to beat her, not the other way around," Newitt said.

"I'll just ride her pretty much as if she is going to dominate. I'll just give her room from the 600m, because I know she can sustain a run.

"I've got that much confidence in her. I know what she is capable of doing. I truly believe she is the best two-year-old in the land."

Samaready extended her unbeaten record to four with an impressive win in Saturday's Reisling Stakes at Rosehill to shorten to a $2.50 Slipper favourite.

Newitt said Samaready had not had a hard run as when the filly began to surge clear, he had not punished her, mindful that the $3.5 million Slipper was still a fortnight away.

"(Trainer) Mick (Price) said she would always improve and I couldn't believe the improvement she has made since the Blue Diamond," he said.

All Too Hard, coming off a three-week break since his spectacular VRC Sires' Produce Stakes win and the $7 third favourite for the Slipper, will be nominated for Saturday's Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill.

Damien Oliver has been booked for the Kevin Moses-trained Collect in the Pago Pago. The colt needs to win to ensure a Slipper start.