Former top apprentice Mitch Newman has transitioned into the training ranks at Hawkesbury, with his early season form earmarking him for more success.
That showed at Canberra on Sunday when the young Hawkesbury trainer scored with odds-on favorite Supreme Escape.
With Christian Reith aboard, three-year-old Supreme Escape ($1.85) broke through at only her second start in the Maiden Plate (1000m).
Newman has taken his time with the Dreamscape filly, which did not race as a two-year-old.
Her gave her two trials before making her debut on her home track on September 21 when a promising third to Pleasantries in an 1100m Maiden.
But she did not appear again at the races until last Sunday.
“Supreme Escape lightened off after that first run, and I gave her three weeks in the paddock,” Newman explained.
Newman also added blinkers to the filly’s gear and she jumped brilliantly but was forced to race wide sharing the lead until the home turn.
“My only worry was whether she would tire over the last bit, but she dug deep. It was a good effort.
“There is definitely more improvement in her and hopefully she will continue to strengthen up.”
It has been an excellent start to the season for Newman.
He notched his first training double at Muswellbrook on October 24 (with Sulien and Miss Casier) and then scored with Final Impulse at home on November 9.
Racing returns to Hawkesbury tomorrow, before the final two meetings of the season, the traditional festive race days,on consecutive Sundays, the 10th and 17th December.
