Saturday’s triumph in the renowned Flemington straight 1200m sprint marked Newitt’s initial Group 1 victory since 2016, when Extreme Choice took out the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Earlier in that same year, Newitt partnered with The Quarterback to claim the Newmarket Handicap, part of his tally of 34 elite-level successes as a jockey.
The latest success propelled Newitt ahead as the rider with the highest number of Newmarket wins, having previously succeeded with Miss Andretti in 2007 and Shamexpress in 2013.
Shooting straight to the front and hugging the inside rail, Caballus at $19 fended off a persistent Gallant Son at $61 by a long head, while Angel Capital at $12 finished three-quarters of a length behind in third.
Newitt admitted to feeling deeply moved by securing his first top-tier win following an extended break.
“It’s been a while, but I’ve been sitting equal leader on the most amount of Newmarket wins, probably the most historic races in Australia at the moment, apart from the Melbourne Cup, especially for sprinting,” Newitt said.
“To be the most winningest rider, I’m very honoured.
“I was very happy after I’d gone 400, 500 metres. He pricked his ears, he was happy just bowling along at his own leisure.
“I probably opened him up a little bit earlier than what I said to the connections before the race, just so that I could get the buffer on the favourite, because I knew he’d be coming somewhere, but this bloke just held his gallop.
“He was challenged and just kept responding.”
Newitt credited Darby Racing for securing the mount after Hugh Bowman was unable to handle the 55kg weight on the sprinter during Saturday’s event.
“The fortunes of being a lightweight rider,” Newitt said.
“I was able to pick him up and yeah, (I’m) just very emotional.”
Caballus began his racing journey under Chris Waller prior to being acquired by Darby Racing via an online sale and moved to Bjorn Baker’s stable.
Luke Hilton, racing manager for trainer Baker, noted that gelding Caballus proved pivotal for the sprinter’s development.
“Bjorn has done an amazing job with him and Darby (Racing) who picked him up as an on-line purchase,” Hilton said.
“He did a good job as a colt, but he wasn’t performing to his level, so we gelded him, gave him time and he’s gone from strength to strength with each preparation.
“The more Bjorn has been able to work with him, the better he’s got and he’s really improved over the last six months and he’s a Group 1 winner now.
“It’s a great achievement by the team.”
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