Newman to Jett into the Sunshine State

By Jordan Gerrans

Talented apprentice Jett Newman will go searching for her maiden Queensland winner on Friday afternoon at Gatton as the promising teenager is set to become a regular face in the Sunshine State. 

Newman is indentured to horseman Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah and is the daughter of former Sydney hoop Mitch Newman.

The 17-year-old is residing not far from the Queensland border at Tweed Heads and has been branded a young rider on the rise following her debut months in the saddle.

She heads to Lockyer Valley Turf Club on Friday for a handful of bookings and lobs over the border again on Monday with engagements at Beaudesert.

The emerging hoop was in the saddle at Warwick earlier this month and went close to nabbing her first Queensland winner aboard Yukanuma for trainer Jordan Lee.

“I started off riding around the local area but especially now with all the race meetings being called off, I am trying to get anywhere at the moment,” Newman said.

“There are 15 race meetings that I would have gone to that were washed out. I am starting to come up Queensland way now.

“I will ride for some trainers up there because I will eventually go to the Gold Coast, it is important to get to know a few trainers up that way.”

The natural lightweight has started her career in the saddle with a bang. 

She rode a winner on her first day at the races at Murwillumbah before scoring on four occasions at Ballina just days later.

Newman chewed through her four-kilogram claim inside three race meetings.

“I think she is going to make a really good jockey,’’ Newman's boss Dunn said.

“What she is doing now is quite incredible for the experience she’s had.

“Even in interviews and post-race stuff for owners and that sort of thing, she is going really, really well.

“I think she’s a star, I really do. She’s got to keep improving of course but I think she’s got the right attitude. She is very focused, she is a very good worker and she’s really, really light.”

Newman’s father Mitch was crowned leading apprentice in Sydney twice, on either side of Hugh Bowman, in the 1998-99 and 2000-01 seasons.

It has been a whirlwind first few months on the Northern Rivers for Newman. 

She initially rode work for Claire Lever at Hawkesbury – as well as spending some time around the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team – before relocating north.

“It is really good, I am loving it there,” she said.

“I have a lot of great mentors, such as my parents.”

At Gatton on Friday, Newman will partner Denuto for Kris Lees, Desleigh Forster’s Aye Eye Boom as well as Rubydoo (trained by Adam Campton) and All About Artie (Marcus Wilson).

Lees’ Denuto is yet to break through in four career starts but was solid at Gatton in his last start where he led for much of the trip before being beaten by just under a length.

“I think the one of Kris Lees’ is a good chance,” Newman said.

“Rubydoo is in a weaker class in this race and is dropping back to a race at Gatton, that should help.

“I think they all my rides have a chance.

“The horse of Marcus Wilson’s has good speed so hopefully I can get up there early from a wide gate.”

On Monday at Beaudesert, Newman will ride Allhallowtide and Yalla for her master.