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Tasmania wins 2018 TAB Origin Jockey Series

8 December 2018

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Tasmania has prevailed in the fourth TAB Origin Jockey Series at Doomben this weekend, holding off some of Australia’s best riders over two exhilarating days of racing.

Tasmania led the field coming into the fifth and final leg of the series, with Craig Newitt securing a series double aboard Cabin Fever (Friday) and Sofie’s Gold Class (Saturday).

Newitt has scaled the lofty heights of Group 1 success on more than 30 occasions but said he got a real kick out of representing his state.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of things go good in my riding career but there’s no better feeling than to go back home and represent where I’m from and put them in front today,” Newitt said.

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Queensland remains winless in the series after four years of trying, despite the best of efforts from Matthew McGillivray who won aboard Surprise Bullet on Friday and series veteran Jim Byrne.

However, Queensland walks away from the series having raised $7000 for the National Jockey’s Trust, with Tabcorp and Racing Queensland donating $500 for every point the maroons scored in the series.

The NJT has been assisting jockeys and their families since 2004 and is a charitable trust dedicated to providing funds and other benefits for the relief or financial difficulties jockeys may face.

Tabcorp’s Head of Wagering in Queensland Sean Scott said: “We are really excited to not only sponsor the Origin Jockey Series, but to also donate an additional $500 for each Queensland point scored.”

“We have a strong history supporting the National Jockeys Trust so there was no hesitation to get on board this campaign.”

Series ambassador and former champion Clare Lindop said it was great to see so many of Australia’s best jockeys getting behind the series in Brisbane.

“The passion shown by the jockeys when they crossed the line first was a sight to behold. This series will only continue to grow in the years to come,” she said.

The series comprised five heats starting with the popular Doomben twilight meeting on Friday afternoon (3 heats) and concluding on Listed Brisbane Handicap Day (2 heats) on Saturday.