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WHEN star sprinter-miler Newhart powered his way to an effortless win in the weight-for-age Mowbray Stakes over 1600 metres in Launceston on Wednesday his trainer Leanne Gaffney burst into tears.
In Brief
- Newhart delivers in season swan song.
- Leanne Gaffney emotional after brilliant Mowbray Stakes win.
- Martin predicts varied program for Newhart in the spring.
It was tears of joy and sadness as Gaffney explained it was most likely the last time that she would saddle up the gelded son of Fighting Sun.
Newhart is bound to return to the stables of Barry Campbell who is due to resume training in July after spending two years in the racing wilderness due to a disqualification.
"I love this horse and he is one of the reasons I want to get up early every morning to train the team," Gaffney said.
"He is the kindest horse I have ever trained, and he has the talent to match, and it is sad that it will be the last time I will present him to race.
"I thank Star Thoroughbreds for the opportunity to train him and the rest of the Star horses, but I can't help but feel very sad to see this one (Newhart) leave my stables."
The Mowbray Stakes signalled the end of Newhart's summer campaign.
Newhart (Craig Newitt) settled just behind the speed set by Sir Simon but when three-year-old Swoop Dog made his charge around the field and outsider Mywordis joined the leaders, it looked for a moment as if the favourite would not gain a clear run.
But Newitt never panicked and when the gap appeared about 100 metres out, Newhart burst through the gap and went on to win comfortably from the fast-finishing Mandela Effect with Swoop Dog third ahead of Sir Simon.
Newhart opened his feature race account in the Devonport Cup and followed up with an effortless victory in the wright-for-age Thomas Lyons over 1400m on Hobart Cup day.
But there is no doubt he saved his best for last in the Mowbray Stakes.
The head of Star Thoroughbreds, Denise Martin was delighted with Newhart's efforts this time in and believes he has a bright future.
"Newhart looks to be improving all the time, so we'll spell him now and look for a varied program for him in the spring," Ms Martin said.
Jockey Craig Newitt said post-race that he believed the Toorak Handicap would be an ideal race for Newhart.
Newhart showed his intentions early this season with a brilliant first-up win over 1400m in Launceston.
He then became the first horse since Brallos (1976-77) to win back-to-back Devonport Cups, a feat achieved by only a handful of middle-distance performers and the 2021 Devonport Cup win also gave jockey Newitt the record of the most wins in the Devonport Racing Club's showcase event over 1880 metres.
Newhart's efforts this season makes him the front-runner to take out the Tasmanian horse of the year title.