Craig Newitt rode his first winner for Danny O'Brien for 6 years at Flemington today when Sincengarni won the Johnstaff Projects Handicap.

In doing so, Newitt realised one of his unfulfilled ambitions.

"It was a pretty satisfying win for myself", he said on returning to scale.

"I've got a long list of things I want to do as a jockey and that was one of them."

"To get back into the winners stall for Danny."

Settling fifth in the small 7 horse field, Sincengarni ($5-$7) was in a perfect position to cover the favourite Gibraltar Moon ($2.10-$2.60-$2.20F), which was pocketed behind the early leader Princess Diablo.

When Newitt said go, Sincengarni quickly sprinted into a winning position and second favourite Head Over Heels ($2.50-$3.30) was unable to get close, beaten by 1½ lengths with another 1½ lengths to Gibraltar Moon in third place.

Newitt's last winner for O'Brien was Leone Chiara at Flemington in November 2003, shortly before he received a lengthy suspension for giving false evidence at a stewards inquiry.

The evidence related to Newitt's relationship with a bookmaker, Anthony Cullen, which stewards alleged provided inside information on the winning chances of his mounts.

In the so called Leone Chiara enquiry, Newitt attempted to conceal the relationship with Cullen but it became obvious that he was in frequent contact.

A relationship between the two which had seen Newitt ride 15 winners for O'Brien from only 60 rides deteriorated to the point where he has had only a handful of rides for the stable in the past 6 years.

Perhaps because of a severe shortage of senior jockeys, O'Brien was forced to put Newitt on today, but he was generous in his praise of Newitt after the race.

"She had the minimum and I wanted a good strong rider on her", O'Brien explained.

"It was an outstanding ride."

"It panned out beautifully and he had plenty of horse and was able to push the button when he wanted."

Another classy horse by Lonhro, Sincengarni benefitted enormously from spell after a promising race career debut in the Winter.

"She's only a little girl and she's matured really well in the Spring break she had", O'Brien said.

"She beat that Screen first start in a race and its got a bit of a wrap on it."

O'Brien is convinced that she is a better horse over sprinting distances, much like her dual Group 3 winning half brother Dance The Waves.

"I think she's going to be best kept to sprinting", he said.

"We stretched her out to 1400 and it probably didn't suit her but held up today she sprinted super."

Sincengarni joins siblings Dance The Waves, Restless Wind, Thunder Time, Top Top Light and Elmsford as city winners.

Photos: Quentin Lang

© Cyberhorse 2010 Bill Saunders Published 12/12/09