Niconero and Craig Williams (pink) with Light Fantastic and Craig Newitt (blue and yellow hoops) in the middle and Alamosa and Damien Oliver on the rails, picture Quentin Lang, quentinjlang.com.
In what was one of the bravest and most emotional rides on a racetrack, Craig Newitt gave Light Fantastic every possible hope when second to Niconero in the $500,000, Group I, Rokk Ebony Futurity Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield.
Newitt produced the copybook ride only minutes after being told his father, Guy, was tragically killed in a car accident outside of Mornington shortly before the scheduled running of the Futurity.
After Racing Victoria stewards postponed the start, Newitt decided, with the full support of the jockey’s room, to fulfil his engagement onboard Light Fantastic.
“We are a close fraternity and we were discussing it before and said Craig has to ride, his father, like every father out there would want him to ride and he rode perfect,” said winning jockey Craig Williams.
“Craig showed tenacity and courage and rode the perfect race and he has the full support of all the jockeys, he is a true professional.”
Winning trainer David Hayes echoed William’s sentiment’s after the race.
“It is sad, it was going to be a great moment for Craig if he had been able to win today,” Hayes said.
Niconero and Craig Williams take the lead just before the line, picture Quentin Lang, quentinjlang.com.
Though the tragic circumstances rightly overshadowed the race, the performance of Niconero is not to be overlooked.
Niconero has two group one victories from his last three starts and this is despite being a seven year old with presumably his best years behind him.
“He has been a wonderful horse, it is his fourth group one and he has been placed in 16 so he is pretty good,” Hayes said.
Williams and Niconero travelled fourth on the fence in running, with Light Fantastic parked on his outside and race favourite Alamosa (Oliver) covering ground three wide outside the lead.
Rounding the turn Alamosa moved past the leaders with Light Fantastic tracking him into the race and Niconero on that gallopers inside.
In the straight Alamosa kicked strongly, however shortly after Newitt hooked Light Fantastic off his heels and started finishing hard.
Niconero, meanwhile, was pocketed behind those two, forcing Williams to ease back and come around Light Fantastic at a vital stage. However, his charge still had plenty to offer and over the final 100m he gradually overhauled Light Fantastic and Alamosa taking the lead in the shadows of the post.
The official margin was a half neck by a half neck, and though the crowds applause was for a brave Newitt and Light Fantastic as they returned to scale, the record books will show Niconero as the 2009 Futurity Stakes winner.
“It is a shame they call (Niconero) the ugly duckling, he has never looked better, he is like a great wine, he is just getting better and he really enjoyed today,” Williams said.
“He is a great horse, he won two group ones last season and he has won another two in the last six months, he is a credit to himself
“Brad Rawiller has done a lot of work with this horse and I have been lucky to pick up the ride today, he has had a lot of gear changes throughout his career because he is tricky, so you just have to have him happy and relaxed and you get the best out of him.”
By Danzero out of the Scenic mare Nicola Lass, Niconero is owned by P B Devitt, L C Gordon & D A Hayes. He has a record of 12 wins from 52 starts and has amassed $2,491,280 in prizemoney.
A brave Craig Newitt and Light Fantastic, picture Quentin Lang, quentinjlang.com