Spending time with family and tucking into some Christmas turkey has been beneficial for Craig Newitt with six winners in the space of three days.
A double at Geelong on Monday was followed by a treble at Stony Creek on Tuesday before he kept the ball rolling with another winner at Mornington on Wednesday.
Newitt is one of the hardest working jockeys in Victoria and has three rides booked at Cranbourne on Thursday night, six at Wangaratta on Friday, six at Moonee Valley on Saturday and another two at Flemington on Sunday.
In between riding there are also jump-outs and trials which does not leave a lot of time for Newitt to spend with his ever-expanding family.
Prior to his victory in the opening race on Wednesday, Newitt was at Cranbourne for the jump-outs before heading to Port Phillip Bay for a quick swim to freshen up for a book of four Mornington rides.
Newitt made the trip to Cranbourne from the family home at Point Cook, about an hour, although he admits the works on the Westgate Bridge at peak holiday time is annoying.
But that won’t stop Newitt getting in the car and travelling to a meeting.
“I’m going flat out at the moment and I’m getting on the right cattle which is a big help,” Newitt said.
“My weight has been really good and being a natural lightweight I don’t have to waste.
“I was able to get a fair amount of turkey in on Christmas Day which might be the reason I’ve been riding so good.
“If I get good rides, I’ll go, if not I’ll stay home with the boys.”
Newitt guided Toronova to a five-length win in the AESM Plate (2000m) at Mornington on Wednesday, leading throughout.
“I wasn’t intending to lead but we bounced really good, and nothing wanted to go so I was happy to roll along,” Newitt said.
“From the half-mile I clicked him up, he quickened, and he sustained it to the line.”
Newitt said in the next month he will head to Tasmania for their Carnival looking to add to his haul from previous years when based there.
“I’ll head down there on January 6 and again on January 11 and see what we can find,” Newitt said.
“I’m just happy to be chipping away.”