The progressive Ashy Boy continued his impressive rise through the grades to salute and provide Craig Newitt with an incredible eighth success in the race.
Kicking off this campaign with a narrow victory in BM68 grade at Launceston back in November, the five-year-old gelding has come along in leaps and bounds this preparation, ultimately culminating with a victory in the $125,000 Devonport Cup (1880m).
In what was also trainer Glenn Stevenson’s second of three wins on the 10-race card, the son of Star Witness saw firm market support just prior to the jump, with punters keen to put their trust in the veteran hoop after the pair dug deep to get the verdict 12-days ago in the Brighton Cup (2100m).
“He gave me a good ride the other day in the Brighton Cup and it just assured me he was going to be the right horse to be riding in this race,” Newitt said.
“He landed in a beautiful spot and travelled sweet. I was able to get out and get rolling when I wanted to… He’s not brilliant but he’s very tough.”
Settling three-wide with cover just behind the leading group, 33-time Group 1 winner Craig Newitt was at his best in the feature.
Popping his mount out at the top of the straight, the pair swiftly took over approaching the 200m from last year’s winner Swoop Dog (3rd – 1.75L) and kept finding to hold of the fast-finishing Sheffield Cup Winner Hype (2nd – 0.5L).
“It’s the race where in about December I start trying to find the right horse to be able to ride,” Newitt said.
“It’s about the only race meeting I plan around all year for, so to be able to win eight is a very good feat in itself but hopefully there is many more to come.”
Stevenson was in white-hot form to close out Cup Day. First celebrating in race six with Navy Street edging out stablemate Turk Boy, Stevenson secured the running double with four-year-old mare Stone Cold Stunner in a barnstorming finish.