Newitt insists Oakleigh Girl on target

Sunday 15 December 2013, 4:39pm

Craig Newitt insists Oakleigh Girl is still the one to beat in the Magic Millions Classic despite some questions over her latest win.

Newitt watched the filly's Doomben victory from Flemington on Saturday and will partner her in the Bruce McLachlan Stakes, her lead-up to the $2 million Magic Millions on January 11.

The Dan Bougoure-trained Oakleigh Girl was the $1.50 favourite in Saturday's Calaway Gal Stakes (1010m) and although she won won by a length, it raised concerns about her ability to handle a high-pressure 1200m.

But like Bougure, Newitt was not concerned.

"I was very happy. She got the job done," Newitt said.

"She went into the race underdone because he (Bougoure) hadn't trialled her.

"She was always going to be well underdone and whatever she did she was going to take great improvement from.

"She actually didn't look all that comfortable that way which was surprising. She looked like she was lugging out a bit but she got attacked pretty much the whole way and her class shone through late."

Newitt rode Oakleigh Girl, a daughter of Oakleigh Plate winners Snitzel and Miss Kournikova, to an impressive Flemington debut win during Melbourne Cup week and is confident she can win at the Gold Coast on January 11.

"I think she's very good. Very foolproof," Newitt said.

"She has good speed which you need and she'll take a power of beating."

Her Magic Millions Classic hopes will face another stern examination at Doomben on December 28 when she meets joint Magic Millions favourite Echo Gal in the Bruce McLachlan Stakes (1200m).

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Echo Gal was an impressive debut winner at Warwick Farm last week.

"Obviously the horse of Gai's looks pretty smart," Newitt said.

"They'll meet in the race on the 28th. It will be a mini showdown and then they'll go to the big stage."

– AAP

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